New details of the clash have surfaced since the AFL launched an investigation into the fight between Melbourne Demons teammates Steven May and Jack Melkosham.
According to The Edge, the heated argument between the teammates was sparked by a few verbal jabs directed by defender Joel Smith, who organized a night out at a Prahran restaurant for his teammates.
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Smith, who dropped out of the Demons’ preliminary final win last year when he tweaked his hamstring in training, has been digging one since May, prompting Melaksham to stick with his teammates.
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May, who was handed a club-imposed one-match ban for drinking, added community service, they were disrespecting attendees while sitting around tables at the establishment, and Melkasham was clearly upset when Smith targeted
The fight began after May found out about Melxam: “If you had played Grandi (Grand Final) we would have lost.”
Melaksham, who was crucial in last year’s decision to win against the Western Bulldogs, punched Mack in retaliation, blaming the two places for causing significant damage to the premises.
Speaking to 3AW, AFL reporter Sam McClure described how the conflict happened.
“As they sat down there was a comment that told Joel Smith, ‘This (dinner) is your best work of the year’, the gale tongue was made,” he said.
“Then a different teammate came up with the first comment and said, ‘I’m going to go further, this is the best thing I’ve ever done since I got injured in the final,’ because (Smith’s injury) opened the door. Other players will come (and play in the grand final ).
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“That’s where Jake Melaksham (comments) was asked to pull, and there Steven May resented Jack Melaksham’s remarks and basically said, ‘How do you know (how we talk to each other), you usually play in two.'”
May was praised for playing through injury in the grand final win despite suffering a serious hamstring injury in the preliminary final last year.
Speaking at a news conference this week, Melbourne captain Max Gown denied the suggestion that the feud was started by a great final sled.
“To be fair, it was a lot of gossip. What came out (the quote) is a complete lie,” he said.
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“I want to get it out. Because the characters look bad – that’s not said … there was some other shocking chat.”
The AFL reported on Thursday that they would look into the matter further.
“The AFL has confirmed that it is looking into the incident between Steven May and Jake Melaksham that took place on Sunday evening,” the statement said.
“Violence is never the answer, regardless of the situation or circumstances. As professional footballers, as human beings, we hope for the best and the club takes the matter very seriously. The AFL is currently conducting its own investigation.”
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