AFL world slams Demons defender for 'disgraceful' act: 'Deserves to cop a massive fine'

Melbourne Demons defender Steven May is being accused of exaggerating an injury to earn his side a free kick during his team's thrilling three-point victory over North Melbourne.

Halfway through the third term, May picked up the ball and was grabbed by Kangaroo Eddie Ford.

Ford twisted May into the turf, in what seemed to be a fair tackle, but May grabbed his head after being brought to the ground.

May in fact landed on his shoulder and appeared to drive his own head into the ground to win a free kick for a dangerous tackle.

May got up gingerly, before taking his free kick in front of baying Roos supporters. 

'It was perplexing for me. It wasn't paid early. The umpiring really held onto it and didn't pay it when the motion was made,' Bombers legend Jobe Watson said in commentary.

Ex-Melbourne skipper Nathan Jones agreed that a free kick shouldn't have been given.

'It's not a free kick for mine, I don't think there's a genuine slinging, dumping motion. Obviously they are twisting, but I feel like his shoulder touched the ground first,' he said.

Former West Coast player Will Schofield had a potential fix to the situation.

'Players holding their head after a 'dangerous tackle' should be immediately sent off the ground for assessment – whether they are faking or not,' he tweeted.

Fox Footy presenter David Zita said: 'If Steven May isn't given a staging fine tomorrow, there's something wrong with the system.'

After the match, Zita continued: 'Staging in the guidelines is excessive exaggeration of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner. I don't see how this doesn't fit the criteria of staging.'

Many footy fans were also livid with what they witnessed.

'Steven May pretending to hit his head in that tackle should cop a very significant fine, start making serious consequences for staging and yes he's not the only one but that was utterly disgraceful,' one fan said. 

'That's embarrassing from Steven May! Deserves to cop a massive fine and all the heat that comes his way,' posted another.

The much-needed win shifted the Demons (8-6) back up to eighth place ahead of Sunday's games, after defeats in four of their previous five matches before the bye.

'It got tight and we were able to find enough winning moments late in the game to come up with a result, but for three quarters it started to look more like the way we want to play,' Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

'It was certainly not perfect by any stretch, but it's heading there.

'We had to fight for everything we got tonight and we walk away with a win which we're really proud of and we'll keep forging ahead with our season.'