The Dees also traded out club greats Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, leaving King with less baggage from the previous era as he embarked on his senior coaching career.
At his best, May was one of the premier key defenders in the league, but his form dropped away significantly late last season.
May and Richmond premiership player Dion Prestia are fighting charges stemming from a brawl in Sorrento in December 2024. The pair, who have proclaimed their innocence, say they were not present and want the charges withdrawn.
May has been charged on summons with affray.
They will face Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20.
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Veterans Jake Melksham and Christian Salem and recruit Changkuoth Jiath were limited to running laps during a match-simulation session.
Jack Viney did even less as he battles Achilles soreness.
Melbourne captain Max Gawn is bullish about the Demons’ prospects, saying he is confident the club would not only make the top 10 but challenge for the flag.
“We’re confident we can go the whole way,” Gawn told Triple M on Wednesday morning.
“Not one person has tipped us but, to be fair, that usually goes well for us.”
Gawn joked he made a similarly bold prediction in 2013.
The Demons won two games that year and finished 17th, above only Greater Western Sydney, who were in their second season, and coach Mark Neeld was sacked.
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