The partner of former Melbourne premiership star Steven May has launched legal action against the Demons, adding another layer to the turmoil that has engulfed the AFL club in recent months.
Sachi Dade is suing the Melbourne Football Club, senior coach Steven King and football boss Alan Richardson, according to documents lodged with the Federal Court.
The application was filed on May 22 and is listed as a privacy matter. A case management hearing was scheduled for Friday.
The details of the claim have not been made public.
A Melbourne spokesman confirmed the club was aware of the proceedings and expected to issue a statement.
The legal action comes months after the Demons apologised over a pre-season meeting involving senior club figures and the partners of players.
Sachi Dade, pictured left with her partner Steven May, has launched Federal Court action against Melbourne, coach Steven King and football boss Alan Richardson
The former All-Australian defender shocked the AFL by retiring on the eve of the 2026 season
May later revealed he suffered a mental breakdown before making the decision to walk away
According to reports, then-chief executive Paul Guerra, King and Richardson conducted a Teams meeting with around 15 player partners in February.
The meeting was intended to introduce the club’s new leadership figures and discuss what was described as ‘a matter that impacts the football program’.
However, the club later apologised after allegations that private information concerning May had been disclosed during the meeting.
The controversy unfolded during a difficult period for the former All-Australian defender.
May was on personal leave from the club at the time of the meeting and later stunned the football world when he retired on the eve of the 2026 AFL season despite being contracted.
The 34-year-old premiership defender later revealed he had been battling significant personal challenges before stepping away from the game.
‘I was really ready to show people that I still have it, did the pre-season, ran a PB in January, up and about, let’s go,’ May said.
‘Then I had a bit of a mental breakdown and found myself a bit lost and not sure what to do. It came to a point where I had to put the club before myself.’
May said retiring before the list deadline allowed Melbourne to recruit another player.
‘I was able to retire before the deadline so then they could get another player in and Paddy Cross is playing good footy and Melbourne are flying. All in all it looks like it’s worked well for both parties.’
The Demons have endured a turbulent period over the past 12 months, including major list changes and significant off-field scrutiny.
Dade’s court action now places another spotlight on the club’s handling of sensitive internal matters, although the precise allegations behind the privacy claim remain unknown.
A lawyer representing Dade declined to comment while the matter remains before the court.
