Steven May facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steven May |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
May with Melbourne in July 2019
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Steven May | ||
| Date of birth | 10 January 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ||
| Original team | Southern Districts (NTFL) | ||
| Draft | Priority zone selection, Gold Coast | ||
| Position(s) | Key defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Melbourne | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Career highlights | |||
|
|||
Steven May, born on January 10, 1992, is a talented Australian rules footballer. He plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), which is the top league for Australian rules football. Before joining Melbourne, he was even a co-captain for the Gold Coast team in 2017 and 2018.
Contents
Steven May's Early Life and Junior Football Career
Steven May was born in Darwin, Australia. His family has Indigenous Australian heritage, specifically from the Gunbalanya and Larrakia communities.
Starting Out in Junior Football
May began playing junior football at the Southern Districts Football Club. He played in the NTFL, showing great skill from a young age. His strong performances earned him a special scholarship. This scholarship was from the AIS in 2008.
Later in 2008, Steven moved to Melbourne. He finished his last years of school at Melbourne Grammar School. A memorable moment there was when he kicked 9 goals in one game. This impressive feat was against Scotch College.
Becoming an Under 18 All-Australian
While playing for the Northern Territory team, Steven May stood out. He competed in the 2010 AFL Under 18 Championships. After his great efforts, he was named as a full forward. This honor placed him in the Under 18 All-Australian team.
Following these championships, a new AFL team was formed. This team was the Gold Coast Football Club. They chose Steven as one of their top picks from the Northern Territory. He finished the 2010 season for Melbourne Grammar with 40 goals. He also won the best and fairest award for his team. After graduating, he moved to the Gold Coast. This was at the end of 2010, ready to start his AFL journey.
Steven May's AFL Career Highlights
Steven May made his first AFL appearance in 2011. He played for the Gold Coast Suns against Essendon. In that game, he played as a defender. He played nine games in his first year, mostly in defense.
Key Moments with Gold Coast Suns
In 2012, May continued to play in defense. However, in a game against Hawthorn, he had a fantastic breakout performance. He was moved to play forward for that match. In this game, he kicked 3 goals and took 12 marks. It was a very impressive display for the Suns.
In 2014, May played against the Sydney Swans. He was tasked with guarding Lance Franklin, a famous goal-kicker. Steven did an excellent job, limiting Franklin to only three goals. In 2016, May was suspended for five matches. This was after an incident during a game.
Becoming a Captain and Moving to Melbourne
In December 2016, Steven May was named a co-captain for the Gold Coast Football Club. This was a significant achievement. It made him only the sixth Indigenous captain in VFL/AFL history.
In May 2017, he wore a special guernsey number, 67. This was for the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round game. It honored the 1967 referendum. This referendum allowed Indigenous Australians to be counted in the national census.
During the 2018 AFL trade period, Steven May moved teams. He was traded to the Melbourne Football Club. In his first year at Melbourne, he faced some challenges. He had injuries and struggled with his form. However, since then, he has become a vital player. His contribution to Melbourne's defense has been outstanding. He plays alongside teammates like Jake Lever and Adam Tomlinson.
Winning an AFL Premiership
By round 7 in 2021, May was playing exceptionally well. He was averaging over 20 disposals per match. Melbourne was undefeated and at the top of the ladder. They had also conceded the fewest points of any team.
Steven May achieved a major career goal in 2021. He won his first AFL Premiership with Melbourne. They defeated the Western Bulldogs in the 2021 AFL Grand Final. He played in the Grand Final despite having a serious hamstring injury. In June 2022, May was suspended for one match. This was due to an incident with a teammate.
Honours and Achievements
Steven May has achieved many great things in his football career.
Team Honours
Individual Honours
- 2× All-Australian team: 2021, 2022
- Ron Barassi Snr Memorial Trophy (Melbourne B&F Third Place): 2022
- Sid Anderson Memorial Trophy (Melbourne B&F Runner-Up): 2020
- Gold Coast captain: 2017–2018
- 22under22 team: 2014
- Indigenous All-Stars team: 2013
