ON THE MONEY
AFL premiership star says Suns skipper looms as million-dollar man
FOX Footy analyst David King says the Gold Coast Suns have the scope to make key defender Steven May their second milliondollar man after midfield star Gary Ablett.
May, named co-captain of the club this season, is close to a new deal to remain on the Gold Coast long term.
DAVID King says Suns cocaptain Steven May could become Gold Coast’s next million-dollar man.
May has revealed he could sign a new deal with the Suns within weeks, if not sooner, following the completion of the AFL’s new collective bargaining agreement that will see a 20 per cent rise in player payments to $12.45 million.
King, a Fox Footy commentator and dual North Melbourne premiership player, said it opened the door for May to become the second player at the Suns to earn a million dollars per year after Gary Ablett, should the latter be traded back to Geelong or retire at the end of this year.
“When you look at the talent (Gold Coast) have got up there, where else is the money going,” he said.
“If Gary is on the move, which is a split call at the moment, then maybe there is some scope to get (May) to that million dollars.
“I don’t think it is about the money for the Suns.
“It’s about the stability and direction. There is some star power there from the recent draft that is going to be there for a long time and that’s the place to be.”
May’s fellow co-captain Tom Lynch is signed until the end of 2018 and will likely garner a huge deal of his own.
Hawthorn was reportably interested in the premier defender and despite May always being confident of resigning with Gold Coast, King said the Hawks would have likely needed to offer at least $900,000 to get him.
“He would have been given some very attractive offers, I have got no doubt about that,” King said.
“You look at clubs that are trying to rebuild down south. A club like Hawthorn could pay anything for that type of player – you’re talking minimum $900,000 for that type of stability down back.
“He is a quality person, a co-captain but more importantly an unbelievable talent. He is 25 and entering the prime of his career.”
May will play his 100th game for the Suns against North Melbourne on Saturday at Metricon Stadium in a game that will coincide with Ablett’s 300th, should he overcome an ankle injury.
May will remain at Gold Coast beyond 2017 and said it was all but a done deal.
“Talks are going pretty well and hopefully pretty soon something should get done but it looks all positive from my end,” May said.
“In the coming weeks or maybe even sooner we should hear something.”
May revealed the finalisation of the CBA played a small role, but said it came down to timing after focusing on his form that has fluctuated throughout the season.
However, the Northern Territory product said his form had nothing to do with taking on the co-captaincy but rather a shift in role.