Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is confident the Demons and defender Steven May have "a pretty strong case" to get the backman's three-game suspension for rough conduct cleared at the AFL Appeals Board.

The Demons have decided to contest the AFL Tribunal's verdict from this week's hearing that saw May's three-game ban upheld after he was directly referred to the Tribunal for a collision with Carlton's Francis Evans in Round 19. Evans has since entered concussion protocols as a result of the hit.

Any club looking to appeal a Tribunal's decision will look to have grounds for an appeal on one, or more, of the following points:

  • Error of law that has a material impact on the decision of the Tribunal.
  • That the decision was so unreasonable that no Tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision having regard to the evidence before it.
  • Classification of offence manifestly excessive or inadequate.
  • Sanction imposed manifestly excessive or inadequate.

In Goodwin's eyes, the incident in question was a "football act", with Melbourne's lawyers now set to argue May's case at the AFL Appeals Board, which the Demons coach is confident in a verdict working in his club's favour.

"We think we've got a pretty strong case," he said on Friday.

"We spent a fair bit of time yesterday with the lawyers. We went through all of the case and made sure we've got a clear right to appeal first and foremost. Then it's over to the lawyers.

"We think he had a play on the ball. It was a football incident. That, ultimately, from my perspective, the ultimate argument we'll go wth. Clearly there's some legal stuff they'll go through in terms of the case, as part of the appeal.

"You can see it's divided the public. I think it's one of those cases where everyone wants it to go through the appeals and see what the outcome is going to be."

Goodwin said he was "disappointed" with the outcome of May's Tribunal hearing, however understands the changing nature of the game amid an ongoing battle with concussion.

The premiership coach said that both players and coaches are continually "learning more and more about the game", and will constantly need to "adapt" going forward.

"I'm disappointed, clearly, when one of your players who you care for is going to be out for three weeks," he added.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin denies Steven May "cheat" calls, weighs in on defender's availability
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Simon Goodwin, Senior Coach of the Demons with Steven May after the win during the 2021 AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval on August 28, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"This is part of the game, and we're learning more and more about the game, with what's required and what the players need to do in the game around concussion.

"Then players always adapt with the more information they get. We've already seen it in the game, in so many different areas, how they adapt. From how they tackle to how they get to the contest.

"In this scenario, they'll adapt again. But clearly, both players, at this moment, thought they had a play on the ball, and both players went for the ball.

"The biggest thing that has changed in the game is the importance we've put on concussion, which is a serious issue in the game."

May's hearing will take place between Round 20 and 21, with the premiership Demon having entered concussion protocols from another incident in Saturday's loss to Carlton.

The veteran backman has "recovered well", but was left "devastated and shattered", and "disappointed with the outcome" of this week's hearing.

The date and time for May's AFL Appeals Board hearing are yet to be confirmed.

An upheld ban would see him miss games against West Coast and the Western Bulldogs, on top of this Sunday's meeting with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.