The remainder of Steven May's season is in doubt after the All Australian was referred directly to the tribunal for a collision which left Carlton's Francis Evans on Saturday night.

May was cited with rough conduct by the match review officer for the third quarter incident.

Amid mixed opinions from pundits around whether May's attack on the ball fell within the scope of player expectations, both coaches downplayed the incident to a piece of contested football.

May was later removed from the match with concussion after copping a knee to the back of the head from Blues ruck Tom De Koning during a marking contest.

Earlier he and Evans collided in pursuit of a rolling ball heading towards goal inside Carlton's forward fifty.

May arrived a fraction late, collecting Evans high with his shoulder after the Blue had gotten hands to the ball.

The collision was deemed carless conduct, graded severe impact and high contact by the MRO.

Evans was subbed out of the match, which was tied at 46 points at the time of the incident, dazed and bleeding.

"It'll be a tough one. Clearly it's going to get looked at," Blues coach Michael Voss said after the match.

"Both players were in line with the ball, seem to be attacking it to be fair, if I'm being brutally honest, and both sort of making a play at the ball. Maybe one person was one step late, which obviously, then the incident happens."

Voss commended a "banged up" Evans for his attack in the line of contact, and left it to the tribunal "to take care of it".

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin had a similar assessment with defence for May.

"Steve's whole intent was to get the ball, clearly…even if you slow it down, his whole intent was to win the ball," he said.

Goodwin argued concussions happen in football, without always needing for a player to be reported.

"It's going to be one of those ones that will have to go through the (match review) process. But if you just look at his pure intent, it was purely for the ball, and it was unfortunate," Goodwin added.

The Dees' coach confirmed May wouldn't be available for their next fixture with St Kilda due to his own concussion.

It's expected May could be slapped with up to a four-week suspension.

Following concussion protocols and with his side sitting five wins outside of the top eight with as many weeks remaining in the home and away season, the Tribunal hearing will determine May's opportunity to play again this season.