Melbourne Football Club has faced disappointment after losing an appeal regarding Steven May’s three-match suspension, following his collision with Carlton’s Francis Evans during their round 19 match. This setback comes on the heels of Melbourne’s recent loss to St Kilda, marking a challenging few days for the team.
In the incident, May’s shoulder made contact with Evans’s face as both players rushed for a loose ball, resulting in Evans sustaining a bloody injury. The match review officer assessed the incident as careless, highlighting that May’s actions constituted high contact with severe impact, concluding that he failed to exercise adequate duty of care despite having the opportunity to alter his momentum or trajectory.
Melbourne’s appeal contended that the AFL tribunal had erred in its legal reasoning, particularly in asserting that May should have adjusted his path during the incident. The club’s counsel, Jack Rush, argued that the tribunal had not fairly presented several assumptions before May, asserting that his foot position was indicative of an athlete attempting to decelerate with a braking step.
In response, AFL counsel Nick Pane defended the tribunal’s decision, stating that it was reasonable and insisting that May’s testimony was comprehensive throughout the extensive three-hour hearing. Consequently, May will now be sidelined for an additional two matches.