“Kept in the dark”: Melbourne captain reacts to May’s call, comments on SSP options

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn said the players were "kept in the dark" regarding Steven May and discussions around his future.

May announced his retirement of the eve of the 2026 season.

The premiership defender has been on personal leave for the past month.

"We've been kept in the dark on this as a playing group," Gawn said on Triple M.

"He hasn't been at training and the word has been focusing on his family, and we're all behind that.

"And, as recently as last night, was when we got filled in. Maysy will come into the club today to do some sort of retirement speech, and we'll get a bit more information from Steve himself.

"The quote from Steve, via the player whatsapp, and the quote from the club was he's retiring to focus on his family and himself."

Gawn said he was surprised to hear the news of May's retirement, but felt "something" was coming.

"As captain, no," he added.

"But as a general bystander, or a fan, you sit there and go, 'he hasn't trained in four or five weeks. Something is coming'.

"Did I think retirement? Probably not, because I am very unaware of situations why you'd retire in March, until we found out there is a list spot (available).

"I think it's all very unusual when a player retires in March, and how it happened, it was starting to get leaked out."

May's decision to hang up the boots has opened a vacancy at the Demons, although it gave the club 24 hours to find a replacement.

The SSP ends March 3, with the star ruckman saying it was more a coincidence of May's timing, rather than intentional.

"Let's go coincidental," Gawn said.

"I think SSP finishes today. So, my understanding is if we do have a list spot, we can use it.

"There's Casey players, who we have a direct line with the club. They've been training like they're Melbourne players.

"Our recruiting team could have eyes on anyone in the country."