Steven May has been handed a three week ban following mammoth deliberations on his controversial collision with Carlton's Francis Evans at the weekend.

In one of the more talked-about potential bans of the season, the premiership defender learned his fate on Wednesday after being referred directly to the tribunal for his part in the incident which left the Blue bloodied and concussed.

May was charged with rough conduct, graded careless, severe impact and high contact for the incident in Melbourne's eight point loss on Saturday night.

He, and lawyer Adrian Anderson, unsuccessfully argued his actions contesting the football weren't unreasonable in the circumstances.

In the third quarter of the match, May arrived a fraction behind Francis with the pair both converging on a rolling ball inside Carlton's forward 50 before colliding heavily.

May's shoulder made contact with Francis' head.

The Carlton player had momentarily taken possession of the ball before the impact, a factor which played against May.

According to reports, the tribunal deemed the Dees defender should have better anticipated the collision was coming and changed his trajectory or momentum, and had enough time to do so, irrespective of May's claims the loose ball's final bounce was unusual.

May reportedly gave evidence to say he believed he would win possession in the moment, among other arguments.

The tribunal acknowledged May had not intended to bump, an action which has cost numerous players when high contact is involved at the tribunal in recent seasons.

Deliberations lasted 90 minutes before the tribunal handed down its decision.

In the lead up to Wednesday's meeting, a number of football figures, pundits, teammates and opposition players had expressed opinions that May's conduct sat within the expectations of match play.

Post-match, both coaches made similar suggestions.

The sanction will see May miss Melbourne's next three matches against St Kilda, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.

May was already set to miss up to a fortnight with his own concussion, suffered in a marking contest later in the match.

The Demons sit outside the race for finals in 13th position on the ladder with five rounds remaining in the home and away season.