MELBOURNE defender Steven May is out of the realestate.com.au AFLX tournament, two days after being selected in Eddie Betts' all-indigenous Deadly team.

The former Gold Coast co-captain, the Demons' marquee recruit in last year's NAB AFL Trade Period, has suffered a minor hamstring injury.

St Kilda star Jade Gresham is May's replacement in Betts' 14-strong squad for the event at Marvel Stadium on Friday, February 22.

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Hamstring issues sidelined May in 2013, 2014 and 2017 (twice), on top of ankle and groin setbacks in his AFL career to date.

Melbourne will be without fellow key backman Jake Lever (knee) for much of the season, so will hope May is fit and firing for its season-opener against Port Adelaide at the MCG on March 23.

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Oscar McDonald and Sam Frost are among the Dees' other tall defensive options if May's hamstring problem lingers.

However, Melbourne expects May to be ready for the club’s second JLT Community Series match against Brisbane at Casey Fields on March 9.

He is likely to be restricted at training for the next three to four weeks.

Team Deadly: Eddie Betts (captain), Shaun Burgoyne (vice-captain), Bradley Hill, Jarrod Harbrow, Tim Kelly, Chad Wingard, Travis Varcoe, Lewis Jetta, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joel Hamling, Willie Rioli, Sam Powell-Pepper, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen and Jade Gresham.

The AFLX tournament kicks off on Friday February 22 at Marvel Stadium . 

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