Overview

• The AFL Tribunal found May guilty of rough conduct for his collision with Francis Evans at the MCG, imposing a three-match ban.
• Melbourne Football Club lodged an appeal against the suspension, with the case to be heard by the AFL Appeals Board next week.
• AFL Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson concluded May had sufficient time to alter his trajectory, countering biomechanical evidence on split-second reaction limits.
• May pleaded not guilty, arguing his sole intention was to contest the bouncing ball and that he believed he would arrive first.
• The appeal highlights the impact of the AFL’s stricter head-high contact and concussion management reforms on on-field behaviour and judicial consistency.