STEVEN May and Tom Lynch spent years sparring against each other at Gold Coast training, but after both were involved in blockbuster off-season trades the former Suns co-captains are already looking forward to their first actual meeting against each other on the MCG.

Both moved clubs during the recent NAB AFL Trade Period, with May heading to Melbourne on deadline day and Lynch finding his way to Richmond as a free agent.

May was unveiled as a Demons player at Federation Square on Tuesday, revealing that the cheeky sledges between the two close mates have already begun ahead of next season.

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"We went out for dinner the other night on the Gold Coast," May said.

"We were talking about the Anzac Day Eve game. He said he was looking forward to playing on me, but I said I'd probably be playing on the best forward and that's Jack Riewoldt.

"There's a bit of banter going on, but for him as well it's an exciting time. We're obviously great mates and we're living pretty close to each other, so I can't wait."

The pair had spent two years as co-captains of Gold Coast, though both dealt with speculation surrounding their future at the club throughout a tumultuous 2018 season.

Lynch, who was out of contract, announced his intentions to exercise his free agency rights in early August, sparking more talk that May could soon follow suit and depart the Suns.

However, May's future wasn't decided until deadline day, before he was eventually traded to Melbourne alongside Kade Kolodjashnij in exchange for pick No.6.

"There was a lot of speculation all year, but I was still tossing it up," May said.

"The Suns have been a big part of my life. I just want them to be good and to be great.

"It wasn't until I sat down at the end of the season and spoke with my manager and had an honest discussion with the club. They wanted a long-term commitment and I just couldn't give them that at the time, so I thought it was the right time to move forward."

Collingwood had also been strongly linked with May throughout the Trade Period, while Essendon and Hawthorn were also reportedly in the running for his signature.

However, a trade potentially taking young forward Jesse Hogan to Fremantle gave Melbourne the picks it needed to become the favourites to sign May – even if there were still a couple of hurdles to clear before a trade ultimately went through.

"There's no doubt Collingwood is a really good team and have a really good organisation," May said.

"It just came down to that feel. I just felt like the opportunity for success at Melbourne, paired with their coaching staff and their playing list, it was the right fit for me.

"It was hard to make the call because Melbourne didn't have the pick. But it was probably that Friday (during the Trade Period) when I spoke to my manager and I said 'can we just try and get to Melbourne?'

"Coincidentally, (Fremantle footy boss) Peter Bell then says they weren't trading for Jesse anymore, so I got a little bit nervous. But I understand that's how the game works."