Gold Coast defender Steven May will take his spot as a key pillar of the GC SUNS' back six against Hawthorn on Saturday night after successfully challenging his one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct.

May was cited by the AFL Match Review Panel after this clash with Brisbane Lions midfielder Dayne Zorko, with the key issues for the tribunal being whether May made contact with Zorko’s head and if the SUNS defender had any realistic alternative to the bump.

"My shoulder and chest made contact with his shoulder and chest. Our heads did not clash," May told the tribunal.

"I made first contact with his shoulder and chest region and if I did get him in the head it would have been minimal contact.

"I felt it was too late to tackle him as the ball was about to leave his boot. I don't think I had an alternative."

After several minutes of deliberation, the jury of Wayne Henwood, David Neitz and Wayne Schimmelbusch concluded May did not engage in rough conduct and he was subsequently cleared of the charge.

May was delighted with the finding.

“I knew we had a good case and I knew it was the right decision to challenge," May told SUNS TV immediately after the hearing.

“I’m pumped that I get to play this week against the Hawks at Metricon.

“It will be good to be out there with the boys again.”

GM – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft was equally as jubilant.

“Fantastic result for Steven and also the footy club," Ashcroft said.

“We thought Maysie had justification for proving the case to be non-reportable.

“He adds greatly to the way we play our footy - hard and tough and fast and exciting.

“So Steven May gets to take his spot against Hawthorn this week and hopefully we can have some more success on Saturday night.”