Aspen Clarke, Leo Dickins and Aiden Dickins meet Steven May before the game against Yarrawonga on Saturday.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Steven May had a turbulent end to his AFL career, retiring earlier this year due to mental health concerns, but left all that behind him to pull on a Roos guernsey and help Corowa Rutherglen Football Club break an 18-year hoodoo.
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In a one-off appearance, the former Gold Coast captain and Melbourne premiership defender brought his trademark spoils and defensive presence to JC Lowe Oval in Yarrawonga as Corowa took down the Pigeons 79-66 on their own turf, something they haven’t done since 2008.
Speaking before the game on Saturday, May said he hasn’t played for a country team before and it’s been an adjustment from playing at AFL level, but he was looking forward to learning what country footy is all about.
“I'll teach them what I can, but I'm going to have to adjust to their style of football; so, if anything, they'll be teaching me more than I'm teaching them,” May said.
“What I'm liking with local footy is they're doing it for the love of the game.
“They're not professional athletes, so that's good to get that back into my life.
“I've been so disciplined, and everything's had big consequence throughout my career in the AFL, but now coming back and being able to smile and have fun and do it for the local fans and volunteers; it's a totally different satisfaction.”
Steven May gets off a handball, helping the Roos to a 13 point victory and breaking an 18-year hoodoo against the Pigeons at JC Lowe Oval.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
May’s appearance for Corowa came through a connection from the Northern Territory Football League where he played before making his AFL debut in 2011.
He said through mutual friends they were able to organise for him to come to Corowa and play a game, and while it’s humbling to hear about everything he achieved in the AFL, the responsibility of being a role model and being able to give back was far more important.
“Young players, men and women, at country and local level, they look up to AFL players so much,” May said.
“AFL players have a bigger responsibility and a bigger role than just showing up on Saturday and playing well; they need to be able to model behaviours and set standards.
“I did a lot wrong (in my career), I did some things right.
“It depends how you look at your mistakes; you can take them as lessons, learn from them, because if you don't learn from your mistakes, then it becomes an issue.
“But if you learn, I think you grow as a person and you can help others.
“I'm proud of my career, but I'm more proud of the friendships and the person that I've been able to become throughout it.”
Steven May kicks away in a see-sawing battle against Yarrawonga on Saturday in a game where Corowa Rutherglen eventually took the spoils 79-66.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
CRFNC president Beau Longmire said May’s presence further enhanced the league’s strong profile, and hopefully helped to bring a few more people to JC Lowe Oval to watch a cracking game of country footy.
“The club jumped at the opportunity to have Steven play a one-off game on the weekend at Yarrawonga,” Beau said.
“With over 250 games, including a premiership, we felt his leadership and direction was valuable to our young side.”
