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.
“It was a massive shock to me,” May told this masthead. “He did his spiel and I was lost for words. I thought he was prank-calling me, to be honest.
“My jaw dropped. The boys were looking at me like ‘Are you going to say anything?’
“I was like ‘This is not real. What did I do wrong?’ 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.”
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.
His reward, despite recently signing a contract extension, was being told to leave Bondi Junction.
“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 were indeed in the market for Hunt, but the former Dragons captain ultimately knocked them back in favour of a return to Brisbane. May, meanwhile, accepted a three-year deal at Wests Tigers.
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.
‘I heard they let me go because they think I’ve reached my potential. Personally, I think I haven’t even scratched the surface.’
Terrell May
“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 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 (rat’s tail). I dress and talk like a westie.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“If I wasn’t motivated, I couldn’t have produced the year I had for the Roosters and wouldn’t have left my pregnant partner to play for my country,” he said.
“I’ve never missed a training session. I train hard every day. I do everything off the field to be better on the field.
“People say I left for more money - I stayed at the Roosters for half the pay of what I was getting offered at that time.
“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.
“I even said to ‘Robbo’, my motivation in footy is not money.
“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.
“But this has just motivated me so much to be at a new club, to work hard and lead the pack and to prove to all of my doubters and haters that I can be that guy.
“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.”