- Fans and commentators erupt over controversial tackle
- Steven May appeared to be exaggerating a head injury
- Demons player was awarded a free kick after the tackle
Melbourne Demons defender Steven May has been accused of exaggerating an injury to win his side a free-kick during his team’s thrilling three-point win over North Melbourne.
Midway through the third term, May picked up the ball and was grabbed by Kangaroo Eddie Ford.
Ford spun May into the turf, in what looked like a fair tackle, but May grabbed his head after he was brought to the ground.
May actually landed on his shoulder and appeared to push his own head into the ground to win a free kick for a dangerous tackle.
Demons defender Steven May has been charged with staging during last night’s match
May stood up gingerly before taking his free-kick in front of the barking Roos supporters.
‘It was confusing for me. Payment was not made early. The referee really stuck to it and didn’t pay when the motion was made,” Bombers legend Jobe Watson said in a commentary.
Ex-Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones agreed that a free-kick should not have been awarded.
‘It’s not a free-kick for me, I don’t think there’s a real swinging, dumping movement. Obviously they’re twisted, but I have a feeling his shoulder hit the ground first,” he said.
Former West Coast player Will Schofield had a possible solution to the situation.
“Players holding their heads after a ‘dangerous tackle’ should be sent off immediately for assessment – whether they fake or not,” he tweeted.
Fox Footy presenter David Zita said: ‘If Steven May doesn’t get a podium fine tomorrow there is something wrong with the system.’
After the match, Zita continued: ‘Increasing the guidelines is an exaggeration of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner. I don’t see how this doesn’t meet the criteria of staging.’
Melbourne have lifted themselves back into the AFL’s top eight by battling their way to a heartbreaking three-point win over North Melbourne
Many football fans were also outraged by what they saw.
“Steven May pretending to hit his head in that tackle should be given a very significant fine, should have serious consequences for the conduct and yes he’s not alone, but that was completely disgraceful,” said one fan.
‘That’s embarrassing of Steven May! He deserves a huge fine and all the heat that comes his way,” said another.
The much-needed win moved the Demons (8-6) back to eighth place ahead of Sunday’s games after losses in four of their previous five games before the bye.
“It got tight and we were able to find enough winning moments late in the game to get a result, but through three quarters it started to look more like the way we want to play,” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.
‘It certainly wasn’t perfect yet, but it’s moving in that direction.
“We had to fight for everything we got tonight and we walk away with a win that we are very proud of and we will continue our season.”