Steven May is No.67 on a chronological list of Northern Territory players to have played in the AFL.
Through four years and 49 games with the Gold Coast SUNS, May has climbed to No.42 on the all-time NT AFL games honour roll, headed by the illustrious group of Andrew McLeod (340), Nathan Buckley (280), Darryl White (268), Joel Bowden (265) and Shaun Burgoyne (259).
But as he prepares to become the 16th SUNS player to reach 50 games for the club when they tackle the Western Bulldogs at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns on Saturday night, May is right in the mix to claim an honour which has befallen just 10 members of the NT AFL ‘family’.
And perhaps an even bigger pot of gold awaits the strapping key defender at the end of what has been a monumental breakout campaign.
Among the 67 NT AFL players, only Buckley (7 times), McLeod (5), Maurice Rioli (5), Joel Bowden (2), Michael Long (2), Shaun Burgoyne (1), Brad Ottens (1), David Wirrpanda (1), Michael McLean (1) and Cyril Rioli (1) have won All-Australian selection.
May could be No.11.
In his mid-season All-Australian team, Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson picked May at centre half back, describing him as “a newbie who clearly deserved his spot”.
Other commentators also have had May in the mix which, coupled with Robinson’s forthright selection, is a pointer to an extraordinary rise for the 22-year-old powerhouse.
But the way May has gone about things in 2014 there’s nothing to suggest he cannot join this elite club down the track if he maintains the same work ethic and commitment.
“I think that’s a bit extreme and it’s pretty humbling to hear that but I have a lot of work to do and I still have to finish off the year,” May told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
“We have a tough run and hopefully make the finals.”
For now, May is looking forward to notching his 50th AFL appearance alongside his tight-knit teammates.
“It is good to join my teammates who have played 50 games,” May said.
“I took a bit longer but I’m happy to be going in the right direction.”
