When Steven May suffered a knee injury at the end of January, his frustration was obvious. After a career-best season in 2014 where he established himself as one of the best key defenders in the competition, May was out to build on his breakout year.
 
The 23-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his left knee following the training incident and whilst the setback was far from positive news, the powerfully built May was not going to miss a significant chunk of training ahead of this season.
 
Given he had a strong training block under his belt already, the setback was always going to be minor if his rehabilitation went to plan. Fast forward to today, May is back in full training and ready for his first run of the pre-season in Saturday’s NEAFL practice match against Southport.
 
“I was a bit flat when it happened after doing most of the pre-season. But the coaches reminded me that I had done most of the pre-season, so missing three or four weeks isn’t too bad – it’s a bit of a freshen up,” May told SUNS TV on Monday.
 
“I’m going to feel it a bit this week playing after a bit of a break, but I’m looking forward to it.
 
“We’ve got down hopefully a half (of game time), but if I’m feeling good I want to run out the whole game leading into the Lions next week. We’ll wait and see but if I’m feeling good I’ll hopefully play most of the game.”
 
Before last year, May had spent the duration of his football career at the other end of the ground. His junior career consisted of terrorising opposition defenders with his ability to win the contested ball and his clinical execution in front of goal.
 
Since his relocation down back, defensive coach Dean Solomon has implored May to become more of a leader. His combative style of play and appetite for the contest naturally draw teammates to him. Something May admits he has turned his focus to this summer, especially during his stint on the sidelines.
 
 “I suppose when I first went down back I didn’t really know what I was doing - I was a forward all my life. So I didn’t have the confidence to try and lead by example down there, I just tried to fit in,” May said.
 
“But after last season, ‘Solly’s’ really put on me to lift my leadership areas of the game. It’s really up to us to setup from the backline and our team defence.
 
“It’s something I really wanted to work hard with, especially while I’ve been injured I can still chat to the boys about what I’m seeing at training and in games.
 
“I’m hopefully going to continue to grow in that area and be a leader for a few years.”
 
The addition of Nick Malceski and Adam Saad during the off-season may not have been a direct attempt by the SUNS recruiting staff to improve the team's field kicking coming out of the back half. But, the ramifications of their precise ball use have been clear to see during the pre-season at Metricon Stadium.
 
Hawthorn’s exquisite ball use by foot is the envy of the competition and a key component in their Clarkson dynasty. With Malceski, Saad, May, Trent McKenzie and Kade Kolodjashnij – all left-footers – distributing the ball by boot, the SUNS are building quite an impressive disposal armoury.
 
“Last year we shot ourselves in the foot a lot with turnovers out of the backline. It’s been a focus over the pre-season as well,” May explained.
 
“I think Scotty Clayton has gone after some good kicks. He’s done well because Malceski’s probably the best in the game. So it’s good for us younger boys to learn from him.
 
“But then again once AFL pressures on, the skills have to go up another level because of the pressure.”