Steven May’s leadership has been lauded across the week, with the key defender displaying it in droves in the SUNS’ 48-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Cairns last weekend.

May gathered his troops on the stroke of half time, delivering a passionate speech to let his teammates know they weren’t playing up to their standards or game plan. The results were evident in the second half, with a much improved effort across the board by the Gold Coast side.

Fellow defender Kade Kolodjashnij was full of praise for the SUNS backline enforcer, labelling him as ‘terrific.’

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“Maysie’s obviously a great leader,” he said.

“He’s improved so much over the last 18 months in his leadership side of things.

“It was probably well needed at the time, we needed a bit of a pump up and a bit of a rev up so I think that really helped us in the last half to even the game out a bit. He’s terrific Steven May.”

Rookie Jesse Joyce credited May as the biggest influence on his game since coming into the senior team six weeks ago.

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“My game personally it’s probably been most of the leadership in the back line,” Joyce told SUNS TV.

“Mainly Steven May, he’s a very vocal player in the back-line he’s always pushing me to play my best and put my best foot forward.

“Him being out there and playing alongside him has been really good for my improvement.”