Steven May’s frustrating stop-start season took a significant leap forward against North Melbourne on Saturday night, with the key defender regaining the form that saw him emerge as one of the premier backmen in the game last season.
 
The Gold Coast SUNS had an even spread of contribution in their drought breaking 55-point win over the Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium. Whilst Gary Ablett and Charlie Dixon were supreme, May’s performance in the back half was equally as decisive. He blanketed Drew Petrie, and dropped off to support others throughout the night, finishing with a massive 14 spoils.
 
Earlier in the year, with May, Rory Thompson and Nick Malceski out of the side, the SUNS back six was deprived of guidance and direction with Henry Schade and Kade Kolodjashnij left to steer the ship. A silver lining from a tougher time was there for all to see on Saturday night, with the pair, along with the likes of Adam Saad benefiting from having May and Malceski back.
 
“I’m just there playing my role and trying to provide some leadership. But those boys have grown their leadership as well, everyone’s talking,” May told SUNS RAW following Gold Coast’s victory over North Melbourne.  
 
“When we have a back six talking it makes it so much easier. When we rely on too few blokes, we have those patches where they kick goals on us. I think all those young boys are growing.”
 
Following the tragic events of Friday, the scenes in the aftermath of victory were quite foreign. There was no time for basking in the glory of four premiership points. Nor was there a time and place for singing the song.
 
As his players filed into the rooms after the final siren, Rodney Eade dragged his players into a meeting room, communicating how effective the SUNS can be when they produce the effort and follow instruction for the full 120 minutes.
 
“He was just touching on that when we’re on and play the way he wants us to play – we’re a good side,” May said.
 
“North Melbourne were a top four side last year and we knocked them off. But if we don’t play the way we are instructed or without effort, we lose to a Carlton last week.
 
“So he was just stressing how important it is every week to bring the same effort. I think the boys are starting to believe and buy into what’s happening. I know we’ve been a bit inconsistent but tonight’s a good stepping stone.”
 
In the weeks leading into the bye, an inexperienced and undermanned Gold Coast outfit produced gutsy efforts against more seasoned and more fancied opposition in Fremantle and Sydney.
 
After coming so close to pinching a win over the ladder leading Dockers, May labelled the win over North Melbourne as a prize for persistent efforts in the last month.
 
“But I just think for the playing group, to get so close in a few games and lose was really gut wrenching, but to get the win and get the four points is a real reward for effort,” he said.