Penrith Panthers player Taylan Reese May charged with assault occasioning bodily harm

A Penrith rookie who allegedly assaulted a man in Maroochdyore days after winning the 2021 NRL Grand Final is set to defend his charges with several players to be called as witnesses.

A Panthers rookie who allegedly assaulted a man days after winning the 2021 NRL Grand Final has had his hearing delayed because of the team’s shot at defending its title.

Court documents reveal Taylan Reese May, 20, was charged on March 15 this year with assault occasioning bodily harm after an incident at Duporth Tavern, Maroochydore on October 8, 2021.

Police will allege Mr May was with some of his Panthers teammates celebrating their premiership win at the tavern when the incident occurred.

The team had set up camp on the Sunshine Coast from July 2021 until the end of the playing season due to the pandemic forcing the NRL competition to be played in Queensland.

Court documents reveal Mr May was later charged with the alleged assault and granted bail, which he signed for at Penrith Police Station on March 24, 2022.

Panthers player Taylan May is facing allegations he assaulted someone at Maroochydore in October 2021.

His solicitor, Samir Banga, indicated to Maroochydore Magistrates Court his client would be defending the charge against him.

When the matter was briefly mentioned on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 Mr Banga asked for a hearing date later in the year to accommodate the playing schedule of the five witnesses, including Mr May, who would be required to attend court to give evidence.

“To be completely transparent, there’s a number of NRL players involved in this matter,” Mr Banga said.

“There will be five witnesses who are NRL players for both prosecution and defence.

“I believe prosecution is calling four of them and obviously the (other) one will be the defendant himself.”

While it was not disclosed to the court which players were to be called for the full day hearing, it is understood they are all Penrith Panthers players.

It comes as Mr May told the Sydney Morning Herald in April he had only allegedly “stuck up” for his teammate Nathan Cleary during the incident.

Panthers player Taylan May is facing allegations he assaulted someone at Maroochydore in October 2021.

Magistrate Barry Barrett said Mr Banga would need “to assess how well their team is doing” before requesting a date.

“My NRL knowledge isn’t very good,” Mr Banga admitted.

“Can I be excused for a moment to see when the season ends? I understand this isn’t the court’s problem but I need to make sure there’s no actual game.”

Police prosecutor Senior Constable David Hoffman then assisted the court by offering up his NRL knowledge explaining the grand final would most likely take place in early-October.

Mr Barrett set the full day hearing for October 19 to ensure witness availability was achievable.

Mr May remains on bail and must appear at the hearing in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.