STEVEN May will continue to walk the aggression tightrope after escaping suspension from the tribunal on Tuesday night.

The Gold Coast full-back was sanctioned by the Match Review Panel after a hit on Brisbane Lion Dayne Zorko at the weekend, but successfully challenged the rough conduct charge.

On Wednesday, a relieved May said he had spoken to coach Guy McKenna about retaining his aggression after the let-off and they came to a unanimous conclusion.

"I spoke to Bluey about that and he said he didn't want me to shy away from the way I've been playing," May said.

"I was within the rules and will continue to play like that. Obviously you've got to watch the head-high contact. It's a massive risk because these days you get a week straight away so I've got to play within the rules, but I don't want to shy away from the way I've been playing."

May described the decision to clear him as a "small win" for footy purists who still liked seeing strong, physical contact.

"It's a lot harder these days to put on a hit because of the rules that have come in," he said.

"I was glad I got away with that. I'm hoping the boys still do that and players still go for that, within the rules of course with no head high collisions."

The 21-year-old has opened the season in stunning form, totally outpointing Richmond's Ty Vickery and superstar duo Matthew Pavlich and Jonathan Brown in the opening three weeks.

He is likely to confront Jarryd Roughead this week when Gold Coast hosts Hawthorn, and said he would again rely on his midfielders to help out with defensive pressure.

"Previous years teams have had a lot more inside 50s [against us], a lot more easy balls coming in, whereas this year they've been lofted and it hasn't been great delivery which is making my job easier," he said.

"I'm getting a bit of credit for that, but it's not just me, it's the team."