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.
4. North Melbourne
The Roos have been linked to a few veteran defenders this year, with one being May's right-hand man Jake Lever.
It'd be unlikely that Melbourne would move on both flag-winning backmen, making Lever a difficult target to lure to Arden Street.
The immediate question that comes with a play for May is what standard he brings to a new club, and with Alastair Clarkson at the helm of North Melbourne, the champion coach might just be able to get the most out of May's final years.
A role with the Roos would help the likes of Toby Pink and Charlie Comben up against the best forward lines in the competition, and aid the development of young talls Wil Dawson and Matt Whitlock.
