GUN MELBOURNE recruit Steven May is set to miss his side's season opener after being hit with a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct against Brisbane midfielder Jarrod Berry.

The incident happened early in the final term, after Berry had handballed the footy.

May's left shoulder made contact with the Lion and Match Review Officer Michael Christian found it was careless conduct with medium impact to the head.

Berry walked off the ground unassisted and was not concussed.

"Bearing in mind that any contact above the shoulders is regarded as high within the guidelines, we assessed that it was high contact to the neck and jaw," Christian said.

Christian explained how he found it to be medium impact. 

"The three things we take into account with impact is the visual look of the incident, the player reaction and also the medical report," Christian said.

"Taking all those things into account, and the fact that Berry didn't return to the ground, it was graded as medium impact."

The Dees open their campaign against Port Adelaide on Saturday, March 23 at the MCG.