May's three-game ban set to divide the AFL world
May was found guilty of rough conduct at the AFL Tribunal on Wednesday night for the collision that concussed Francis Evans and left the Carlton forward with a broken nose and a chipped tooth.
A biomechanics expert calculated May had only 0.56 seconds from the ball's final bounce until the moment of the collision, and that the premiership defender would have needed at least 0.2 to 0.25 seconds to react.
"The time available to him to perceive and react to a complex scenario is not sufficient for him to adapt and avoid contact," AIS biomechanist Daniel Cottam said in his findings, not all of which could be submitted as evidence for the tribunal hearing.
May argued he had little time to react, saying he was so sure he was going to get to the ball first that he was left shocked when Evans beat him to it during Saturday's game at the MCG.
But AFL Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson said May had ample time while running towards the ball to realise there was a big chance he wouldn't arrive there first and to come up with a contingency plan.
"The most he could have hoped was that he would arrive at about the same time as Evans," Gleeson said.
"It was far more likely that he would reach the ball after Evans.
"As he gathered the ball, Evans had time to position his body just slightly so as to turn slightly away from May.
"This gives some indication that May had sufficient time to make some attempt to move his body in a way that minimised or avoided the impact limits.
"May made no attempt to change his path, his body position or his velocity at any time leading up to or in the contest."
Before the hearing, Carlton captain Patrick Cripps questioned how May could have approached things differently.
"I felt like both of them were trying to contest the ball," Cripps told the On the Inside podcast.
"You never want to see a player get injured but I don't understand what we want players to do.
"If that's a grand final and (May) hesitates and Franky gets the ball, what do you do?"
The decision to suspend May has set a strong precedent when it comes to players arriving at a loose ball within a split second of each other.
May will miss games against St Kilda, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.
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The Advertiser
40 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
The 'humble freak' St Kilda love and want to keep
St Kilda want Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to stay "forever" but Saints teammate Hunter Clark says there will be no hard feelings if the matchwinning star returns to South Australia. Wanganeen-Milera wrote himself into St Kilda folklore at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, lifting the Saints to the biggest three-quarter-time comeback - 46 points - in VFL/AFL history. The silky 22-year-old kicked the final two goals in just 14 seconds of game time as St Kilda pinched a remarkable six-point victory over Melbourne. Wanganeen-Milera's soaring mark over Demons forward Bayley Fritsch to set up the game-equalling goal even prompted an emotional reaction of disbelief from usually solemn Saints coach Ross Lyon. Clark, who also produced some important moments late against Melbourne, was in awe at what Wanganeen-Milera achieved. "He's obviously got a really big decision, and he'll do what's best for himself, and there'll be no hard feelings either way," Clark told AAP. "Obviously we'd love him to stay forever; he's going to be, if he's not already, up there for one of the best players in the competition. "He's only 22 so I think his future is going to be so bright and he deserves everything that comes his way." Wanganeen-Milera remains unsigned for next season as he contemplates massive offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide to play back in his home state. He was drafted with pick 11 out of Glenelg in 2021, playing 82 games for the Saints. St Kilda have also thrown a big contract in front of him as arguably the key player in the club's rebuild and bid for an elusive second premiership. Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play against the Demons due to a stye in his eye. The club doctor called Lyon early on Sunday morning to let him know his best player was in doubt, but Wanganeen-Milera reassured his coach he would be fine. "He's an absolute freak," Clark said of his teammate's skill. "But he's such a good man. "The way he plays, almost you'd expect him to just be this real out there character, like he probably has every right to just strut around. "But he's the most humble bloke you'll come across. "He's an absolute freak of a talent, but he works as hard as anyone. It's not all just what you see on the field. "He's absolute star, and I think he's made for those moments." After just their second win since the start of May, St Kilda can take confidence out of their Marvel miracle into 2026. "If we can just finish the year strong, just keep getting experience into everyone and keep growing," Clark said. "Then just get to work over the summer. "It's not just going to happen in a day. "I see a lot of the teams over the last few years, it can take five or six years until you have gone through s**t, until you get there." St Kilda want Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to stay "forever" but Saints teammate Hunter Clark says there will be no hard feelings if the matchwinning star returns to South Australia. Wanganeen-Milera wrote himself into St Kilda folklore at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, lifting the Saints to the biggest three-quarter-time comeback - 46 points - in VFL/AFL history. The silky 22-year-old kicked the final two goals in just 14 seconds of game time as St Kilda pinched a remarkable six-point victory over Melbourne. Wanganeen-Milera's soaring mark over Demons forward Bayley Fritsch to set up the game-equalling goal even prompted an emotional reaction of disbelief from usually solemn Saints coach Ross Lyon. Clark, who also produced some important moments late against Melbourne, was in awe at what Wanganeen-Milera achieved. "He's obviously got a really big decision, and he'll do what's best for himself, and there'll be no hard feelings either way," Clark told AAP. "Obviously we'd love him to stay forever; he's going to be, if he's not already, up there for one of the best players in the competition. "He's only 22 so I think his future is going to be so bright and he deserves everything that comes his way." Wanganeen-Milera remains unsigned for next season as he contemplates massive offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide to play back in his home state. He was drafted with pick 11 out of Glenelg in 2021, playing 82 games for the Saints. St Kilda have also thrown a big contract in front of him as arguably the key player in the club's rebuild and bid for an elusive second premiership. Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play against the Demons due to a stye in his eye. The club doctor called Lyon early on Sunday morning to let him know his best player was in doubt, but Wanganeen-Milera reassured his coach he would be fine. "He's an absolute freak," Clark said of his teammate's skill. "But he's such a good man. "The way he plays, almost you'd expect him to just be this real out there character, like he probably has every right to just strut around. "But he's the most humble bloke you'll come across. "He's an absolute freak of a talent, but he works as hard as anyone. It's not all just what you see on the field. "He's absolute star, and I think he's made for those moments." After just their second win since the start of May, St Kilda can take confidence out of their Marvel miracle into 2026. "If we can just finish the year strong, just keep getting experience into everyone and keep growing," Clark said. "Then just get to work over the summer. "It's not just going to happen in a day. "I see a lot of the teams over the last few years, it can take five or six years until you have gone through s**t, until you get there." St Kilda want Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to stay "forever" but Saints teammate Hunter Clark says there will be no hard feelings if the matchwinning star returns to South Australia. Wanganeen-Milera wrote himself into St Kilda folklore at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, lifting the Saints to the biggest three-quarter-time comeback - 46 points - in VFL/AFL history. The silky 22-year-old kicked the final two goals in just 14 seconds of game time as St Kilda pinched a remarkable six-point victory over Melbourne. Wanganeen-Milera's soaring mark over Demons forward Bayley Fritsch to set up the game-equalling goal even prompted an emotional reaction of disbelief from usually solemn Saints coach Ross Lyon. Clark, who also produced some important moments late against Melbourne, was in awe at what Wanganeen-Milera achieved. "He's obviously got a really big decision, and he'll do what's best for himself, and there'll be no hard feelings either way," Clark told AAP. "Obviously we'd love him to stay forever; he's going to be, if he's not already, up there for one of the best players in the competition. "He's only 22 so I think his future is going to be so bright and he deserves everything that comes his way." Wanganeen-Milera remains unsigned for next season as he contemplates massive offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide to play back in his home state. He was drafted with pick 11 out of Glenelg in 2021, playing 82 games for the Saints. St Kilda have also thrown a big contract in front of him as arguably the key player in the club's rebuild and bid for an elusive second premiership. Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play against the Demons due to a stye in his eye. The club doctor called Lyon early on Sunday morning to let him know his best player was in doubt, but Wanganeen-Milera reassured his coach he would be fine. "He's an absolute freak," Clark said of his teammate's skill. "But he's such a good man. "The way he plays, almost you'd expect him to just be this real out there character, like he probably has every right to just strut around. "But he's the most humble bloke you'll come across. "He's an absolute freak of a talent, but he works as hard as anyone. It's not all just what you see on the field. "He's absolute star, and I think he's made for those moments." After just their second win since the start of May, St Kilda can take confidence out of their Marvel miracle into 2026. "If we can just finish the year strong, just keep getting experience into everyone and keep growing," Clark said. "Then just get to work over the summer. "It's not just going to happen in a day. "I see a lot of the teams over the last few years, it can take five or six years until you have gone through s**t, until you get there."
The Advertiser
40 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Saints storm home in crazy finish against Demons
St Kilda have pulled off the greatest three-quarter-time comeback in VFL/AFL history, storming home from 46 points down to stun Melbourne in a crazy finish at Marvel Stadium. Off-contract star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the hero, slotting two goals in a frantic climax to pinch a miracle six-point victory. The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to 13.12 (90). It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995. Wanganeen-Milera calmly slotted his third goal after flying for a soaring mark with less than 20 seconds remaining. That levelled the scores, before a 6-6-6 penalty in the middle was paid against the Demons, to the confusion of all players. Saints ruck Rowan Marshall was able to perfectly pick out Wanganeen-Milera running inside 50 to take a mark just before the siren sounded. Any score would have given the Saints victory, but Wanganeen-Milera went back and kicked the goal, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. "Underneath the exterior, I can get emotional," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said, who was in disbelief watching in the box. "A little bit watery when Nas took that mark. "I think it's just that emotion, just for the players, just for them. "Our young players never gave up, and our leaders never gave up, and they found a way." Lyon also revealed Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play due to a stye in his eye. "I had a sleep-in this morning. Got up, make my coffee. I see four missed calls from the doctor," Lyon said. "Experience tells me this can't be good. "He said 'Nas has come in' and they upped his antibiotics, given him an injection. "I rang him (Wanganeen-Milera), he goes, 'No, I'll be right'. "I just said, 'If you're not right, no pressure, we'll tap you out'. "He just let us know so it was a good story." St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs. This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further. Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer. The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into the last break seemingly destined for a seventh-straight win. Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was left gobsmacked at losing from such a position of dominance. "Devastating loss, clearly," he said. "We didn't defend and pressure as well as we were early in the game. "Then basically late in the game, we didn't handle the pressure, we didn't handle the moment, and we didn't handle the tight game scenarios like we should have, and that's on all of us. "We'll own that together." St Kilda youngster Lance Collard injured his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches. Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime. St Kilda have pulled off the greatest three-quarter-time comeback in VFL/AFL history, storming home from 46 points down to stun Melbourne in a crazy finish at Marvel Stadium. Off-contract star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the hero, slotting two goals in a frantic climax to pinch a miracle six-point victory. The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to 13.12 (90). It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995. Wanganeen-Milera calmly slotted his third goal after flying for a soaring mark with less than 20 seconds remaining. That levelled the scores, before a 6-6-6 penalty in the middle was paid against the Demons, to the confusion of all players. Saints ruck Rowan Marshall was able to perfectly pick out Wanganeen-Milera running inside 50 to take a mark just before the siren sounded. Any score would have given the Saints victory, but Wanganeen-Milera went back and kicked the goal, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. "Underneath the exterior, I can get emotional," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said, who was in disbelief watching in the box. "A little bit watery when Nas took that mark. "I think it's just that emotion, just for the players, just for them. "Our young players never gave up, and our leaders never gave up, and they found a way." Lyon also revealed Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play due to a stye in his eye. "I had a sleep-in this morning. Got up, make my coffee. I see four missed calls from the doctor," Lyon said. "Experience tells me this can't be good. "He said 'Nas has come in' and they upped his antibiotics, given him an injection. "I rang him (Wanganeen-Milera), he goes, 'No, I'll be right'. "I just said, 'If you're not right, no pressure, we'll tap you out'. "He just let us know so it was a good story." St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs. This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further. Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer. The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into the last break seemingly destined for a seventh-straight win. Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was left gobsmacked at losing from such a position of dominance. "Devastating loss, clearly," he said. "We didn't defend and pressure as well as we were early in the game. "Then basically late in the game, we didn't handle the pressure, we didn't handle the moment, and we didn't handle the tight game scenarios like we should have, and that's on all of us. "We'll own that together." St Kilda youngster Lance Collard injured his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches. Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime. St Kilda have pulled off the greatest three-quarter-time comeback in VFL/AFL history, storming home from 46 points down to stun Melbourne in a crazy finish at Marvel Stadium. Off-contract star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the hero, slotting two goals in a frantic climax to pinch a miracle six-point victory. The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to 13.12 (90). It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995. Wanganeen-Milera calmly slotted his third goal after flying for a soaring mark with less than 20 seconds remaining. That levelled the scores, before a 6-6-6 penalty in the middle was paid against the Demons, to the confusion of all players. Saints ruck Rowan Marshall was able to perfectly pick out Wanganeen-Milera running inside 50 to take a mark just before the siren sounded. Any score would have given the Saints victory, but Wanganeen-Milera went back and kicked the goal, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. "Underneath the exterior, I can get emotional," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said, who was in disbelief watching in the box. "A little bit watery when Nas took that mark. "I think it's just that emotion, just for the players, just for them. "Our young players never gave up, and our leaders never gave up, and they found a way." Lyon also revealed Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play due to a stye in his eye. "I had a sleep-in this morning. Got up, make my coffee. I see four missed calls from the doctor," Lyon said. "Experience tells me this can't be good. "He said 'Nas has come in' and they upped his antibiotics, given him an injection. "I rang him (Wanganeen-Milera), he goes, 'No, I'll be right'. "I just said, 'If you're not right, no pressure, we'll tap you out'. "He just let us know so it was a good story." St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs. This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further. Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer. The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into the last break seemingly destined for a seventh-straight win. Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was left gobsmacked at losing from such a position of dominance. "Devastating loss, clearly," he said. "We didn't defend and pressure as well as we were early in the game. "Then basically late in the game, we didn't handle the pressure, we didn't handle the moment, and we didn't handle the tight game scenarios like we should have, and that's on all of us. "We'll own that together." St Kilda youngster Lance Collard injured his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches. Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
New Victorian police chief Mike Bush says people should be free to protest without permits
Victoria does not need a permit system for protests, says the state's new top cop, who concedes there has been a breakdown in public confidence in police. In his first wide-ranging interview since joining Victoria Police, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush acknowledged Victorians felt less safe and declared "there's too much crime out there". The chief commissioner's arrival comes at a tumultuous time for Victoria Police, with crime at its highest rate since 2016 and an ongoing tobacco war that has seen 140 firebombings. Public confidence has also been at a 14-year low, with just 61.9 per cent of people having confidence in the police, far short of the force's 82 per cent target. "The data would definitely say that, and we've got to accept what the data tells us," Mr Bush said of the breakdown in public confidence. "We must be operationally excellent — whether we're preventing crime, responding to crime, investigating crime, resolving crime." Mr Bush is a 42-year police veteran of New Zealand Police. He ultimately became commissioner of the force, implementing a landmark crime-prevention policing model that included diversions and warnings for low-level offending. "We are, right now, considering our whole policing approach. I'm very keen to bring those things in, that's what the public deserve," he said. "Prevention is not a soft way of policing, it's just the right way, but we've got to do everything else too so responding is important, investigating and resolving is important. It's about getting the order right." The new chief commissioner told the ABC he did not support a permit system for protests, a measure debated in Victoria and already operating in New South Wales. "We've had a look to see if it will be effective, where we've landed is that it's not worth bringing in," he said. There has been significant public debate about protests in recent years, from the predominantly peaceful weekly marches in support of the Palestine community to anti-lockdown rallies and violent Land Forces protests. Shocked diners also watched on as protesters converged on an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne's CBD earlier this month, with tables and chairs thrown and a glass door damaged. Mr Bush addressed what he described as "polarisation" in the community, saying those with "an extreme view one way or the other are getting more extreme". He said the line between activism and extremism was "quite possibly" being blurred. "If we talk about public protest, absolutely," he said. "If you feel strongly about something, we are there to keep you safe while you demonstrate that. "But what we don't want is extreme behaviour that challenges the safety of other people — not just their physical safety but their feelings of safety. Mr Bush added: "It's only a minority but we should not tolerate the behaviour of that minority." Victoria Police has received independent legal advice that indicated the controversial chant "Death to the IDF" was not an offence. Mr Bush was also unequivocal when asked by the ABC if the chant amounted to hate speech. "No," he said. It came after former Victorian governor Linda Dessau called the phrase "totally unacceptable" and "hate speech" and Premier Jacinta Allan deferred to police when asked last week whether the chant was illegal. Under pressure to act on youth crime, the Allan government earlier this year announced a law reform package that included tougher bail conditions and a ban on machetes. It has also backed down from its pledge to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 — a move Mr Bush's predecessor opposed. Mr Bush would not say whether he supported raising the age but acknowledged there were limits to prevention-led policing. "The bottom line is, we don't want to see young people in prison, but some need to be there to protect the public," he said. The latest crime statistics show there were an extra 92,000 offences recorded in Victoria in the year to March, a 17 per cent jump from the same period last year. Youth crime also spiked to its highest level since records began, with children over-represented in home invasions and aggravated burglaries. Mr Bush was also asked about the state's ongoing tobacco wars, which has seen 140 firebombings by Middle Eastern crime factions trying to seize control of the illicit tobacco and vape market. He would not say whether it was a mistake for the federal government to have deported alleged tobacco kingpin, Kazem Hamad, who his own force has identified as being linked to a deadly arson which mistakenly killed Melbourne woman Katie Tangey. Police believe Hamad, who is now believed to be in Baghdad, is a key player in the tobacco wars who has orchestrated firebombings on his rivals or shop owners who refuse to pay exorbitant extortion fees. "I'm not going to talk about individuals," Mr Bush said. "But I will say on that subject that we have excellent international law enforcement, collaboration and cooperation and we use those partnerships and networks when we don't have a presence overseas." Mr Bush acknowledged tensions were high not only in the community but also among his own rank-and-file officers who have reported low-levels of morale and high rates of attrition. The rank-and-file made their displeasure known in February when officers passed a resounding no-confidence vote in former Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, who ultimately resigned. It followed a protracted pay dispute between the Police Association of Victoria and the Victorian government. Mr Bush said senior police leaders had to "own" the mood among his members. "We've also got to remove things that get in their way, the things that frustrate them, bureaucracy, too much paperwork," he said. He committed to upgrading technology for his officers in the next 12 months, who he said were being hamstrung by red tape. "I'm not going to be embarrassed to say that the New Zealand police are a long way ahead," he said. "We've agreed to partner up to actually not just learn from them, but they're quite prepared to share all of their platforms and technology with us." The Police Association of Victoria has previously said its members have a stake in Mr Bush's success. "He's regarded as a leader who listens to his troops, who connects with community, and has been known to prioritise prevention as the greatest weapon against crime," secretary Wayne Gatt said. "We think, given the challenges we currently face in policing in this state, that these virtues will be invaluable in the fight to win back Victoria."
