May tips Coast are ready for boilover
but to see the way Collingwood were able to pick them apart gives us confidence.’’
May is voicing a definite shift in mentality at the Suns.
In the lead-up to a challenge like the Cats, the talk would traditionally be about the desire for effort, for everyone to do their best.
May, 24, says the players are tired of that – of the excuses that have been made for them and by themselves.
“Yes, we are young but it is no excuse,’’ he said.
“It just means we have to grow up quicker.’’
May said for the first time in his career at the Suns, there was an expectation to win. There was no talk about building for the future.
He said coach Rodney Eade was furious after the loss to the Kangaroos.
“Close enough is not good enough,’’ he said.
“We need wins. A coach with so much experience like Rocket, he has seen what good teams can do.
“And he thinks we are just off. We have missed two close ones – we have to win and we have to win now.’’
May said he first began to sense a real change in the side’s expectations the day after the win against Carlton and his feelings were reinforced during yesterday’s review session. Both were brutal. He said the pump-up sessions were a thing of the past.
“The reviews have always been pretty positive in the past because of injuries or the fact we were a young team, but there is none of that anymore, they are purely on facts,’’ he said.
“Defensive efforts, looking after the ball, desperation, that is what we highlight.
“Against the Blues review was tough.
“We won and it was a badly needed win but we played badly.
“The review of the Kangaroos game would have been the same if we won, because Rocket is coaching us to one day play in finals.
“We made some that we can’t accept.’’
May will return after two weeks out with a hamstring injury if he gets through a full speed running session today. the errors