AFL

Demons apologise to May's partner over privacy breaches

Jun 29, 2026

May and Dade. — Melbourne have apologised to Sachi Dade (l), partner of Steven May (r), over privacy breaches. -AAP Image

Melbourne have apologised to Sachi Dade, the partner of retired player Steven May, after she sued the AFL club.

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Dade had mounted action in the Federal Court, accusing the Demons of three breaches over "a serious invasion of privacy".

On Monday night, following a court hearing earlier in June, Melbourne posted an apology on the club website and coach Steven King said the matter had been settled.

"It's something we as a club got wrong. We had good intent but if we had our time again I think we would acknowledge that was a mistake and we probably shouldn't have done that," King told the Seven Network.

Dade sued the club, King and Demons football boss Alan Richardson.

She had alleged three privacy breaches were committed across two days on February 4 and 5 and a third breach involved an online Microsoft Teams meeting attended by 15 people.

"In February 2026, (the) Melbourne leadership team divulged personal and sensitive information about Ms Dade. We acknowledge that this was inappropriate and constituted a serious invasion of her privacy," Demons chief executive Dan Taylor said in a club statement.

"Ms Dade raised concerns about the conduct of Melbourne and its leadership team and advocated for change and for training.

"Our senior leaders, including the board, the incoming CEO and our leaders in the football department, are committed to taking all steps necessary to ensure this does not happen again.

"We sincerely apologise to Ms Dade and her family for the hurt, distress and impact our actions have caused."

King was asked in his television appearance if he would speak with Dade.

"I will wait and see what the club want us to do from that point of view, but it's been settled now so we'll just move forward," he said.

May, a premiership player and dual All-Australian, retired from the club in March after what he described as a mental breakdown.

He had been on personal leave for several weeks before announcing his immediate retirement from the AFL.

"It's an incredibly tough decision to make on the eve of the season, but I know it's the right one for myself, my family and the team," May posted on social media.

He played 128 games with Melbourne and 123 for Gold Coast, where he was also co-captain for two seasons.