Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has downplayed the post-match interaction between leaders Max Gawn and Steven May, saying it was nothing more than "two competitors that are frustrated".
The Demons went down to Collingwood by one point in a King's Birthday classic at the MCG, but not without their chances to steal the victory.
Gawn - who was arguably one of the more influential players on the ground - had taken an intercept mark in his defensive 50 with 35 seconds remaining, but a rushed and errant kick resulted in Pies sub Will Hoskin-Elliott turning the ball over.
May rushed to his captain in clear frustration, with cameras revealing the pair exchanged words before Gawn pushed the defender away.
"We're just both competitors, and we both wanted to win the game," Gawn said onย Channel 7 post-game.
"Unfortunately, with 30 seconds to go, I put the ball in Hoskin-Elliott's lap, and I'm pretty sure all 17 of my teammates were pretty angry with that decision.
"I felt like we had a chance to potentially win the game still with 30 seconds to go, as did a few other people, and that sort of iced it."
Mitch: "Have you cleared the air with Steven May post-game?"
Gawny: "We will. Not yet. We've earmarked it, don't worry."
Max Gawn spoke to @cleary_mitch on his incident with Steven May ๐ pic.twitter.com/4qJh0SWs4V
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 9, 2025
Goodwin clarified that the situation that unfolded was merely two leaders who were "disappointed with the outcome", and nothing more.
"[Just] two competitors that are frustrated, two leaders that got an incredibly strong relationship, that are obviously disappointed with the outcome," Goodwin said.
"But as I've spoken to the whole group about, yeah, be disappointed with the outcome, but keep working on the things that'll keep making us better. They've moved on already. They're in [the rooms] having a good chat about it. And yeah, they've moved on pretty quickly.
"Obviously, it didn't quite come off the boot the way we would have liked. But, you know, they're the decisions you make with 45 seconds to go. I thought the whole last quarter was filled with moments, and moments that they probably just got that one or two better than us on the day, and were able to maximise those opportunities.
"People look at that kick, but you know, you're deep inside your last 15 metres, and you're trying to create something for the team. I certainly understand the thought process, it was just a bit of execution."
The Demons remain in 14th on the ladder after a second consecutive loss, and will turn their attention to Port Adelaide before their mid-season bye.
