When Steven May and Dustin Martin are matched up on each other in the middle of the MCG, there’s no chirp or trash talk. Only a chat about when they’re going for a hit on the golf course.
May’s Demons overpowered Martin’s Tigers on Anzac Day Eve after a 10 goal to two second half saw Melbourne run away 43-point winners.
We were treated to an exciting battle between May and Martin at stages after the Tigers superstar was forced to play deep forward more with the likes of Tom Lynch and Noah Balta sidelined.
Asked if there was any sledging between the two superstars in the heat of battle, May told foxfooty.com.au: “The only thing we spoke about was he’s getting into golf.
“After a goal he asked: ‘When are you taking me for a hit?’ I didn’t know he was playing golf! It was funny.
May acknowledged he approached his matchup with a “great of the game” like Martin differently to others given his respect for the three-time Norm Smith Medallist.
“You play to your strengths, but in the back of your head you’re like: ‘It’s Dusty, I better give him a bit more respect in terms of not letting him do what he wants’,” he said.
“I like to play the ball as a defender, but there’s some players you have to watch a bit more. When he’s deep in the goalsquare and they’re running through the corridor, you get really nervous.
“But it is an honour playing on guys like that. I’ve watched him for so long dominate and win Norm Smiths and premierships. When you’re out there rubbing shoulders with him, it’s awesome.”
