Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The partner of an AFL superstar has launched legal proceedings against his premiership-winning club, just months after his shock retirement.
Sadie Dade is the partner of ex-Demons star and dual All-Australian Steven May, who left AFL fans stunned when he suddenly retired weeks before the 2026 season.
Demons fans had expressed concerns about the defender ahead of the season after it was confirmed by the club that police had attended his home in February. The visit did not result in any charges or arrests.
In a bombshell update that has rocked the AFL, Ms Dade has since filed a lawsuit against the Melbourne Football Club and its coach Steven King for breach of privacy.
While many details of the case have been kept confidential, it is understood the 32-year-old WAG’s legal case revolves around a Teams meeting with the partners of 15 other Demons players in addition to club statements about the police visit.
The 14-minute virtual meeting — which was held two weeks before May’s departure — was held to address the “challenging” circumstances that the AFL star was facing.
In newly-released court documents, Ms Dade alleges the club and officials leaked sensitive information about her and May during this meeting.
“Club representatives shared information (about the couple) which was private, confidential and sensitive — many of which was false or misleading,” Federal Court documents read.
“It was unclear why the private and sensitive information was being shared with the attendees by representatives of the MFC.”
Court documents revealed Ms Dade had reported the club to the AFL’s Integrity Unit over the alleged breach, but her concerns were “not resolved”.
The 32-year-old nurse claimed the breach has caused her “emotional distress, embarrassment, psychiatric harm and anguish”, with Ms Dade also subject to ridicule from the general public.
Ms Dade also alleged the Melbourne Demons’ statement confirming the police visit to their home in February was another breach of privacy.
“Melbourne Football Club had divulged various information about the Home Visit and related confidential, personal and sensitive information of Ms Dade and Mr May to the AFL,” court documents read.
Ms Dade’s lawyers had contacted the club and coach King with an offer to resolve the breach prior to the suit filing, but no agreement was reached.
She is seeking an apology and damages from the club and coach Steven King for the “serious invasion” of her privacy.
May has not publicly spoken about his partner’s suit but did reveal he had suffered a “mental breakdown” earlier this year which prompted his retirement.
“I had a bit of a mental breakdown and found myself a bit lost and not sure what to do,” he said.
“It came to a point where I had to put myself before the club.”
The matter will return to Federal Court on Friday for a hearing.
