- Fans and commentators erupt over controversial entry
- Steven May tried to exaggerate a head injury
- The Demons player received a free kick after the tackle
Melbourne Demons defender Steven May is being accused of exaggerating an injury to win his team a free kick during his side’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 turned May onto the grass, in what appeared to be a fair tackle, but May grabbed his head after he fell to the ground.
In fact, May landed on his shoulder and appeared to drive his own head into the ground to earn a free kick for a dangerous tackle.
Demons defender Steven May was accused of acting during last night’s game.
May cautiously stood up before taking his free-kick to the roars of the Roos fans.
“It was disconcerting for me. She was not paid in advance. The referee really latched onto it and didn’t pay when the motion was made,” Bombers legend Jobe Watson said in a comment.
Former Melbourne captain Nathan Jones agreed a free kick should not have been awarded.
“It’s not a free kick for me, I don’t think there’s a genuine shooting motion.” “They are obviously twisting, but I feel like his shoulder hit the ground first,” she said.
Former West Coast player Will Schofield had a possible solution to the situation.
“Players who hold their heads after a ‘dangerous tackle’ should be immediately removed from the ground for evaluation, whether they are faking or not,” he tweeted.
Fox Footy presenter David Zita said: “If Steven May doesn’t get a fine for editing tomorrow, something is wrong with the system.”
After the match, Zita continued: ‘The staging in the guidelines is an excessive exaggeration of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner. I don’t see how this doesn’t fit the staging criteria.’
Melbourne have moved back into the AFL’s top eight as they powered their way to an impressive three-point win over North Melbourne.
Many football fans were also furious with what they witnessed.
“Steven May, for pretending to hit his head in that tackle, should get a very significant fine, start having serious consequences for the staging and yes he’s not the only one but that was completely embarrassing,” one fan said.
‘That’s disgraceful of Steven May! He deserves to receive a huge fine and all the heat that comes his way,” another posted.
The much-needed victory returned the Demons (8-6) to eighth place heading into Sunday’s games, after losses in four of their previous five games before the break.
“It got tight and we were able to find enough winning moments late in the game to get a result, but over three quarters it started to look more like the way we wanted to play,” Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.
“It certainly wasn’t perfect by any means, but it’s headed there.
“We had to fight for everything we achieved tonight and we came away with a victory that we are very proud of and we will continue to move forward with our season.”