Former Melbourne star Steven May has revealed that a mental breakdown led to his abrupt retirement from the AFL just weeks before the 2025 season. The dual All-Australian called it quits in March, exactly two weeks before the Demons' campaign began under new coach Steven King.
May told SEN on Wednesday that he had completed a pre-season and was ready for a strong year after an injury-plagued 2024 season. However, he said he then experienced a mental breakdown and felt lost. He decided to retire before the deadline to allow the club to bring in another player.
May, who played 251 career games across stints with Gold Coast and Melbourne, is now playing local football with East Ringwood. He said he is happy with his decision, noting that his family is content and the Demons are performing well.
His comments come less than a week after all charges were dropped against May and Richmond's Dion Prestia over an alleged brawl in Sorrento. The magistrate ordered the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner to pay their legal costs. May acknowledged that the charges dragged his name through the media.
