Bold truth: Steven May’s legacy is a mix of elite on-field brilliance and real-life struggles that ultimately shaped how we remember him. Here’s a thoughtful, expanded rewrite that preserves every key detail while making the meaning crystal clear for newcomers.
Melbourne Demons Hall of Fame inductee David Schwarz has publicly honoured the retiring Steven May, urging fans to focus on the player he was during his peak, even as off-field issues linger in the background.
May, 34, began his AFL journey as an inaugural Gold Coast Suns member. He spent eight years with the Suns, even serving as co-captain for two seasons before moving to Melbourne in 2019.
Across 128 games for Melbourne, May helped the club win the 2021 AFL Premiership. He leaves the game with two All-Australian selections and a premiership medal, cementing his place as one of the game’s premier modern-day key defenders.
Schwarz acknowledges that May may carry regrets about how certain chapters unfolded, but believes the public should still celebrate his on-field contributions and overall impact.
“Let’s not forget what he was,” Schwarz told SEN WA Breakfast. “He was an exceptionally good player, yet he grappled with external issues that he fought hard to manage.
“I think we underestimate the pressure players face and the difficult decisions that can come with it. My wish is for him to finish his career feeling proud and free of lingering regrets, though I suspect those regrets will surface over time.
“When you’re in the AFL bubble, your focus can slip away from the core purpose of your role. He had strong support around him, but some late-career choices probably shortened one or two seasons.
“I expect he’ll have regrets later, but that doesn’t erase what he achieved. Being a premiership player, an outstanding defender, and one of the game’s most highly regarded defenders for a long period is no small feat.
“I think the ending will make him reflect on whether he could have finished with more class or walked away on his own terms, rather than the way it ended. That doesn’t diminish his greatness, just adds nuance to his story.
“His last years may prompt him to say he could have done a bit more to extend his career or depart on different terms. He’s dealing with an issue, and while I can’t say whether that was right or wrong, it certainly didn’t help his trajectory.
“Ultimately, he was a great player who contributed a great deal to Melbourne and to Gold Coast. He should be proud of his career, though it’s fair to think he might have some regrets.”
And this is where the conversation gets interesting: May’s legacy invites debate about how off-field challenges should influence our memory of a player’s on-field greatness. Do you separate the sport from the person, or do personal struggles color your assessment of achievement? Share your stance in the comments: should May be celebrated for what he delivered on the field, or should off-field issues temper that legacy more than they do now? Would you like this piece adjusted to emphasize specific angles—such as the defender’s skill set, leadership qualities, or the broader pressures faced by professional athletes? Would you prefer a shorter version focused strictly on career milestones, or a longer version that includes more context about his off-field challenges and how teams support players through them?
