After serving a three-week suspension for his bump on Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff, Gold Coast key defender Steven May was given the unenviable task of matching up on one of the best forwards in the competition on Saturday afternoon at Aurora Stadium.

Hawks spearhead Jarryd Roughead has booted over 70 goals in each of the last two seasons and came into the game averaging 18.9 disposals, 5.2 marks and 2.5 goals per game so far in 2015.

On his day, the versatile triple-premiership star is more than capable of winning a game off his own boot.

In a massive positive for the SUNS, May performed his job on Roughead with distinction, keeping the 2013 Coleman medallist to just 11 disposals, one mark and zero goals.

Speaking to goldcoastfc.com.au after the SUNS’ 53-point loss, May downplayed his own efforts, crediting time in the stands as the key reason behind his advantage on the day.

“Yeah, Roughy, he’s a tough one. He usually kicks a fair few on me, three or four each time, but having three weeks off I was pretty fresh,” he said.


“He was a bit sore, I could tell, which I’ve got to take advantage of and not let him get on top.

“I was just playing my role for the team, but you know, Roughy didn’t kick any goals but they had a lot of goalkickers so that’s more what we’re looking at, not the individual effort, it’s more about the team instead of shutting him down.”

With May, fellow key defender Rory Thompson and 2014 All Australian Nick Malceski all missing significant chunks of the season thus far, the likes of Henry Schade, Jack Leslie and Jesse Lonergan have been thrust into defensive roles usually reserved for those possessing far more experience.

The exposure given to these young players has been invaluable for their development and will only hold the SUNS in good stead as a raft of injured players start to filter back into the senior line-up.


“You know, Henry Schade, I played the first game with him and he probably didn’t say a word in that game and today he was talking,” May said.

“Jesse Lonergan was another one that I hadn’t played a lot with but he was very good with his voice and attack on the footy.

“I’ve seen massive growth since I’ve been out for three weeks and I’ve come back.”