Premiership Demon Steven May is on the lookout for a third AFL club after reportedly being told to find a new club for 2026, despite being under contract.
It's clear the Demons are keen to move into a new era with some pace under coach Steven King, and the cutthroat call on May's future is a significant step.
But what Melbourne will lose might be a rival's gain, with very few 250-game premiership and dual All-Australian players out there on the open market, which has seen high demand for experienced defenders this year.
Any move for May does come with some baggage though, given his record of off-field issues that haven't been limited to fracas with teammates.
So which clubs might back their club culture and see the upside May might have for the next year or two?
We look at five potential landing spots for the 33-year-old.
2. West Coast
The Eagles are still searching for some experience to aid their growing list, and May might be an ideal target in more ways than one.
His former coach Andrew McQualter will have a good read of the optics, with West Coast wanting to be sure any move for May doesn't hamper the club's culture at a crucial stage of its list development.
West Coast are in desperate need of an experienced key defender, having lost Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGover in the past year, leaving Reuben Ginbey and Harry Edwards to do the heavy lifting.
They will still be the club's one-two pairing for the future, but a player like May can step in as a short-term aid for their development.
