Melbourne have confirmed premiership defender Steven May is free to look for a new home if he wants to extend his career.
May, 33, has been loosely linked in the media to rival clubs following reports the Dees opened the door for the Larrakia man to assess his options ahead of the upcoming trade period.
The veteran is contracted at Melbourne for 2026, but has his current club's support to move on this off season, list manager Tim Lamb said.
"We had a really honest and mature conversation with Steve about what the future looks like," Lamb said in a club released video on Tuesday.
"First of all, Steve's been a great player for our club, and he's contracted for next year, so there's a strong chance that he's still here.
"We spoke to him about the potential for him to extend his career, and if you could do that at another club, we would support that.
"But we're also really aware and really comfortable if that doesn't work out for Steve, that he comes back in day one of pre season and gets to work."
A firm suitor has not risen for May since news his time at Melbourne could be coming to an end, though the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood and Swans have all been raised as potential landing spots by pundits.
The club's update also included confirmation star Mid Christian Petracca is looking to exit.
Lamb, as well as new chief executive Paul Guerra, via a letter to members, confirmed Petracca informed the Dees he will look for a trade ahead of the 2026 season.
Following reports of the Crows' interest, Petracca was captured arriving into Adelaide airport on Tuesday.
"We've got a lot of terrific players on our list who have given a lot for the club, who are premiership players. But at the end of the day we're charged with making decisions that are in the best interest of the club, and we'll do those things respectfully and honestly, have those conversations if they need to be had, and if you do that you can achieve both outcomes," Lamb said of balancing looking ahead while balancing loyalty to established and celebrated players.
May has earned two All Australian blazers and helped break the Dees' 57-year premiership doubt in 2021 since arriving at the club ahead of the 2019 season.
He has played 128 of his 151 AFL games in red and blue since crossing from Gold Coast.
Malcolm Rosas Jr has reportedly nominated Sydney as his preferred home for 2026. (Image: Matt Turner/AAP)
In other news, out of favour Suns forward Malcolm Rosas Jr has reportedly nominated Sydney as his preferred destination before the trade period begins on Monday.
Rosas played just four senior games in 2025, two as sub, in his fourth season on the Gold Coast, and expressed his desire for a change earlier this month.
The 24-year-old once established himself in the Suns' line up with a goal-a-game 19 appearance in 2023 before falling out of their best 22 in recent years.
