WHY I LEFT THE SUNS
Former Gold Coast skipper explains his swift club exit
STAR Melbourne recruit Steven May has defended his AFL trade as a move that was right for him and fairer for Gold Coast.
The key defender joined fellow Suns co-captain Tom Lynch in leaving the embattled club but backed Gold Coast, saying they now have the right people in place and will improve.
May said after speculation about Lynch this year and previously over Gary Ablett before he returned to Geelong, he did not want to be the third Coast captain with an uncertain future.
“I could tell there was a lot more on his (Lynch’s) mind,” said May, who had a year left on his Suns contract.
“I didn’t want to have to go through that again, not only for me, but for the club.
“The club and fans didn’t need another captain who wasn’t committed long term.
“So if I’ve already made up my mind, or I’m not 100 per cent sure, I may as well be honest with the club.”
Lynch was the biggest move of the trade period, joining Richmond as a free agent.
The banter has started between former Suns stars May and Tom Lynch before their blockbuster Anzac Day Eve clash.
“He said he’s looking forward to playing on me but I said I will probably play on the best forward - so that’s Jack (Riewoldt),” May said.
May said he only decided at the end of the season that he wanted to leave Gold Coast and did not choose Melbourne over Collingwood until during the trade period.
“When you’re hoping to get traded and nothing gets done until deadline day you always have that element of doubt,” he said. “Now I have the shirt on, it’s starting to sink in a little bit.”
May backed the Suns, saying more financial assistance is not their issue.
“It’s going to be a tough time but they really do have the right people in place,” he said. “I’m not concerned at all (for their future). It’s more about the vibe and stability.”
Melbourne reached the preliminary finals and May said he joined them for sustained success.
“It just came down to that feel ... it was the right fit for me,” he said.
May said years of struggle in the Suns defence had made him a tougher person.
“I’ve put up with a fair few inside 50s over my years,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of goals kicked on me. That opportunity to work with a really elite back six and help a top-four team is so exciting.”