The Melbourne Football Club has reached a settlement with Sachi Dade, the partner of former AFL player Steven May, ending a lawsuit over alleged privacy breaches and the leaking of false claims. The club issued a public apology acknowledging that its leadership team inappropriately divulged personal and sensitive information about Dade.
The dispute stemmed from a Microsoft Teams meeting held on February 5, 2026, with partners of 15 Melbourne players. This meeting occurred one week after Victoria Police conducted a welfare check at Dade's home with May. No arrests were made, and the matter was resolved following the police visit.
Dade's lawsuit alleged that the club invaded her privacy by publicly referring to the police welfare check, providing sensitive information to the AFL, and discussing confidential matters during the team meeting. Court documents indicated that Dade claimed the club's actions caused her emotional distress, embarrassment, psychiatric harm, and public humiliation. She also alleged that Melbourne shared false information about her with players' partners without seeking her account of events.
In a statement released on Monday night, Melbourne Football Club admitted that mistakes were made. "We acknowledge that this was inappropriate and constituted a serious invasion of her privacy," the statement read. "Ms. Dade raised concerns about the conduct of MFC and its leadership team and advocated for change and for training." The club's senior leaders, including the Board and those in the football department, committed to taking steps to prevent future occurrences. The apology was signed by incoming chief executive Dan Taylor.
According to court filings, Dade also alleged a Melbourne board member contacted May's legal representatives in an attempt to pressure her. The documents further claimed that Melbourne representatives acknowledged the information being discussed was private and sensitive, asked attendees not to repeat it, and admitted they were not aware of all the facts surrounding the incidents.
Earlier criticism regarding the handling of the meeting had emerged from within the club. Demons president Steve Smith had described holding the meeting as a mistake, and football boss Alan Richardson conceded the club had gotten the situation 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," Richardson said.
The settlement brings an end to a case that had been scheduled to return to court in September. Steven May, who was part of the Melbourne team that won the 2021 premiership, retired before the start of the 2026 season after reaching a separate financial settlement with the Demons, despite having a year remaining on his contract.