I just read some comments from Terrell saying he’s ready to take his game to the next level and he wants to show the Roosters that they were wrong and he hasn’t peaked.
Sounds exciting! We might have a real good one on our hands here.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Tigers recruit Tyrone May has broken his silence on his shock release from the Roosters and responded to some of the mooted reasons for his abrupt departure from the Tri-colours.
May was released from the Roosters just months after signing an extension with the club, with a desire to chase Ben Hunt and the suggestion he was bad for the team’s culture speculated as possible reasons.
An interview May did saying that he struggled for motivation to play rugby league at times was another.
Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald, May said he originally thought Trent Robinson was joking when he told him of the Roosters’ decision on his future.
“He [Robinson] did his spiel and I was lost for words,” May said.
“I thought he was prank-calling me, to be honest. My jaw dropped. He just said they were going in a different direction.
“I didn’t really digest it until a week later because I was in shock. I couldn’t fathom it. I thought I did something wrong back home ... I didn’t understand.
“Then I realised what the date was. It was November 1 the next day. Ben Hunt just came onto the market. I started putting two and two together.”
May was chased by multiple clubs, before signing witht he Tigers on a three-year deal.
He admitted the constant speculation over the reasons he was released took a toll.
“It got real annoying, that’s why I jumped off social media,” May said.
“I got sick of people assuming. I saw lots of people saying I’m a bad influence to the to the team. It’s the stupidest stuff.
“I wanted to clear the air. I come from Mt Druitt. I’m tatted up. I’ve got a ratty. I dress and talk like a westie.”
The 25-year-old, who has scored seven tries in 53 games for the Roosters since his debut in 2022, also took issue with reports he was axed because he had reached his potential.
“I heard they let me go because they think I’ve reached my potential,” may said.
“Personally, I think I haven’t even scratched the surface. That was my first full year of playing first grade.
“Now that I know I’m moving to a club that really wants me and needs me, I know I will step up. I feel I’m ready to step up and lead a forward pack.”
Fox Sports
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Really hope he does and sticks it right up to Roosters every single time we play them.
‘I thought it was a prank call from Robbo’: Terrell May breaks silence on Roosters exit
By Adrian Proszenko
At first, Terrell May thought it might have been a prank call.
The one from Roosters coach Trent Robinson in late October, informing the prop forward, despite producing a breakout season, that he was surplus to requirements.
New Tiger: Former Roosters prop Terrell May.CREDIT: NRL PHOTOS
It was received while May was touring England and driving to Leeds with a car full of his Samoan international teammates.
To say the news came as a surprise is an understatement.
“My jaw dropped. The boys were looking at me like ‘Are you going to say anything?
May played all 27 games last season for the Roosters, including an 80-minute performance in the front row. His form resulted in him being crowned the Rugby League Players’ Association inaugural impact player of the year.
“The call I thought I was getting was completely different to what I got,” he said.
Terrell May is looking forward to a fresh start.CREDIT: LOUISE KENNERLEY, SMH
“I couldn’t fathom it. I thought I did something wrong back home, I’m like ‘What did I do?’ I didn’t understand.
“Then I realised what the date was. It was November 1 the next day [when uncontracted players can field offers from other clubs]. Ben Hunt just came onto the market. I started putting two and two together.”
The Roosters decision sparked speculation over why it was made. Some of the commentary on social media was so inaccurate and defamatory that May’s manager threatened defamation proceedings if the offending posts weren’t deleted. Another theory was floated; that an interview the 25-year-old granted this masthead, articulating his complicated relationship with rugby league, suggested the Roosters were concerned about his commitment to the game.
“It got real annoying, that’s why I jumped off social media,” said May, whose brothers Tyrone and Taylan played at NRL level before parting with the Panthers after off-field dramas.
“I got sick of people assuming. I saw lots of people saying I’m a bad influence to the to the team.
“People assume ‘This guy has done this, his family has been in the paper.’ [That it’s] bad stuff because of where I’m from and my last name, they assume this and that.
Terrell May during his Roosters days.
“My motivation this year is crazy. I’ve never been so motivated in my life to prove people wrong.
“I heard they let me go because they think I’ve reached my potential. Personally, I think I haven’t even scratched the surface. That was my first full year of playing first grade. I know what I can do with more experience, now that I’m learning the game more. I feel more confident week in, week out.
Several clubs were keen on May’s services. Fellow Samoan international Jarome Luai was “in my ear every day” about joining the Tigers, and the joint-venture outfit was ultimately deemed the best fit.
“I want that role of being the alpha of the pack, I want teams to come after me, to be ‘this is the guy we need to target’,” he said.
“I’m ready for it and being at the Tigers, they have got a lot of good props there, but I feel like I can earn my spot as a leader.”
There are other misconceptions May wants to clear up, namely that he isn’t fully committed to his career.
“I’ve never missed a training session. I train hard every day. I do everything off the field to be better on the field.
“Money hasn’t been a big motivation for me because I come from struggles, I come from housos, I come from not eating dinner every day.
“It was their decision to let me go. For people to say I left for money, I didn’t want to leave ... but I’m content with my time there and now I’m excited for the coming season with the Tigers under [coach] Benji Marshall.”
May will face the Roosters for the first time in round 18. He insists there is no bad blood - “There’s no grudges against them, I love the organisation and all of the boys” - but the drama has only made him more determined to fulfil his potential.
“I always wanted to be a one-club man at the Roosters,” he said.
“I’m keen for it. Like I’ve said before, footy is not my whole life, but I feel this year I have a point to prove to everyone. I can’t wait.”
Hopefully he rips in, looks like he takes his training really seriously, so just what we need.
I get Sam fainu vibes from this signing. Won’t be under the radar as much as samuela, but with the majority of attention on jarome, I reckon he will have a cracking start to the year. The article certainly suggests a completely different mindset and hunger compared to Ice in pre season
The big guy modelling the New Jersey.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
This signing seems to be getting better and better!
Let's hope the change of clubs and points to prove bring the best out of May, both for him and WT.
I fully expect it will for Stefano and the Storm.
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-bye-round-with-james-graham/id1629371037?i=1000679586229
Very interesting discussion with Terrell May. The guy sounds very impressive. Doesn’t drink or do drugs ever, never smoked a cigarette. Easts were suspicious that he didn’t embrace the eastern suburbs lifestyle and he just loves being a westie. He wants to play big minutes as a starting prop. Is very close to Brandon Smith.
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-bye-round-with-james-graham/id1629371037?i=1000679586229
Very interesting discussion with Terrell May. The guy sounds very impressive. Doesn’t drink or do drugs ever, never smoked a cigarette. Easts were suspicious that he didn’t embrace the eastern suburbs lifestyle and he just loves being a westie. He wants to play big minutes as a starting prop. Is very close to Brandon Smith.
Brandon Smith would be a handy pick up at the right price
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-bye-round-with-james-graham/id1629371037?i=1000679586229
Very interesting discussion with Terrell May. The guy sounds very impressive. Doesn’t drink or do drugs ever, never smoked a cigarette. Easts were suspicious that he didn’t embrace the eastern suburbs lifestyle and he just loves being a westie. He wants to play big minutes as a starting prop. Is very close to Brandon Smith.
Brandon Smith would be a handy pick up at the right price
weirdly I could imagine Smith coming to us during the off season on a massively subsidised deal even though he can’t play until mid year just so the roosters can get rid of him
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-bye-round-with-james-graham/id1629371037?i=1000679586229
Very interesting discussion with Terrell May. The guy sounds very impressive. Doesn’t drink or do drugs ever, never smoked a cigarette. Easts were suspicious that he didn’t embrace the eastern suburbs lifestyle and he just loves being a westie. He wants to play big minutes as a starting prop. Is very close to Brandon Smith.
Brandon Smith would be a handy pick up at the right price
weirdly I could imagine Smith coming to us during the off season on a massively subsidised deal even though he can’t play until mid year just so the roosters can get rid of him
Last I heard he wasn’t on our radar but I wouldn’t say no.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I like him, but that 800K is better spent shoring up young squad
Plus
we have TDS and Hooker coming through
