May looks forward to Dees' next challenge after third quarter surge sets up ANZAC Eve win

Jarred Cross Published April 25, 2025 at 8.00am (AWST)

Sport

Melbourne defender Steven May was among the Demons' best in Thursday night's win over Richmond. (Image: Daniel Pockett/AAP)

Steven May says Melbourne can't get ahead of themselves as the next challenge presents, after the Demons banked their second win of the season on Thursday night.

The annual ANZAC Day Eve showcase got off to a damp start, with the Dees hitting the scoreboard in the second half to run out 12.11 (83) - 9.9 (63) winners over Richmond, the margin narrow by late consolations for the Tigers.

Neither side showed form from their previous weekend's wins in the first half before Melbourne kicked into gear after the main break, adding six goals to Richmond's one major for a 73-38 three quarter time lead.

A late swing in momentum showed glimpses of Richmond's spirited upset over an unbeaten Gold Coast last weekend, the Tigers reducing the margin to 20 points at the end of play through four late goals.

On return from injury, May was among Melbourne's best.

The Larrakia defender did his work controlling play out of the back half, collecting 20 touches (13 kicks), six intercept possessions amongst them, and ten marks.

"It's good to get a win…we haven't played our best footy, but I think we took a big step last week in terms of our pressure, and tonight we were able to do that again," May told Seven's coverage post-match.

"But the challenge is (to) keep fronting up. I'm very proud of the boys… a lot of the young guys haven't had a win at the start of their career, so never forget how hard is to get a win."

The veteran almost looked to have ruled himself out of more football mid-game, heading to the bench after an awkward launch into a mark sparking ankle concerns, before the 33-year-old played on with little interruption.

A groin injury which ruled him out of the Demon's first victory of 2025 against the Dockers last week was no issues, May said.

"It was described as really minor. The thing was, I did it the day before the game...It's getting better every 24 hours," he said.

Kysaiah Pickett looked a long way off his devastating best early on in the contest before having influence on the result after half time.

Held to five touches at below 40 per cent efficiency in the opening two terms, his first major within a minute of play resuming kickstarted Melbourne's taking of control.

Pickett gives the Dees the perfect start to the third quarter ðŸ'ª#AFLDeesTigers pic.twitter.com/QubUQ4AiSm
— AFL (@AFL) April 24, 2025

Pickett added two minor scores and ended with 18 disposals.

In the third term, an effort through traffic before a deft kick to the target inside fifty helped push the lead beyond 40.

"He's a freak…and he's only going to get better," May said of Pickett.

"He's starting to believe. He's getting more midfield minutes. He's such a star. All preseason, I marveled at him, so I knew it was coming."

For the Tigers, Maurice Rioli showed some late fight in an otherwise quiet evening for the forward.

After seven front half tackles last week, the 22-year-old helped choreograph two late goals - a desperate defensive effort providing Tim Tarranto an attempt from close range before a back-to-back effort on the loose ball ended in Toby Nankervis' hands inside fifty.