Steven May said he is still learning each week in the backline, but his education has been swift with the Gold Coast defender in line for All-Australian selection at season’s end.

AFL 360 co-host, Herald Sun football writer Mark Robinson, named May in his mid-season All-Australian team after the Northern Territory native produced a stellar first half of the year by shutting down several of the competition’s gun forwards.

Given he only made a permanent move to the backline this season, the 22-year-old said on the show last night he is still coming to grips with playing on the likes of Lance Franklin and Matthew Pavlich each week.

“Each week, the forwards they all have tricks. You learn,” May said.

“If I do go back down the forward line I’ll have a few more tricks.

“When I did play forward, it’s all about reacting to the footy and being first to it. I think that’s sort of my advantage when I play in the backline. I try to read the ball more than just follow someone around.

“Obviously you’ve got to respect those big forwards, but if you’ve got a chance to beat your opponent to the footy and win your own ball, it’s better to have the footy than defend it.”

GC SUNS midfielder Dion Prestia appeared alongside May on AFL 360 last night, and said the playing group had faith in their backline mainstay to keep a close check on his direct opponent each week.

“A lot of boys have a lot of confidence the way Steve’s going about his footy this year,” Prestia said.

“Every time he gets a role, you know he’s going to do a job. He’s had some pretty big jobs this year; the likes of like Buddy (Franklin) and Tommy Hawkins.

“Maysie has probably raised his game this year; just his leadership down there and his leadership on the field has been awesome.”