NRL news: Tyrone May decision a chance for Panthers to set moral compass

We’re about to learn what the Penrith Panthers stand for as a club. If they don’t sack Tyrone May when will they ever make a stand?

We’re about to learn what the Penrith Panthers stand for as a club.

If the Panthers don’t sack Tyrone May at a board meeting on Wednesday, when will they ever axe a player?

Former NSW Premier Jack Lang had a saying that perfectly fits the Panthers and May crossroads: “Never nurse a mug – he’ll die in your arms.”

Hopefully, by serving May with a show-cause notice to front the board, the Panthers have indicated they’re tired of lugging the mug.

The reason May is preparing to pull on a suit again to explain himself has been well publicised.

Not long after the Panthers beat South Sydney in this month’s NRL grand final, May thought he’d be original by ripping off the lyrics of a song from Canadian rapper Drake called Fair Trade.

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The social media post that landed Tyrone May in hot water. Picture: Instagram

“And the dirt that they threw on my name.

“Turned the soil and I grew up out of it.

“Time for y’all to figure out what y’all gon’ do about it. Love my brothers.”

With the post, May included a photo of him at court, being supported by Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.

Given the supporting imagery, the post was interpreted by many as a reference to May’s sex tape scandal.

I’ll get to what May will use to argue that view in a moment.

Remember though, the same scandal was considered by many who were at the club in 2019, including several of May’s teammates who “liked” the post, as to be so crushing, it sent the club on such a path of implosion that its season was over by late April – little more than a month after the sex tapes surfaced.

In November 2019, May pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent.

Penrith Panthers NRL player Tyrone May (C) was supported by coach Ivan Cleary (L) during his time at court in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

In January last year, the magistrate slammed the 25-year-old’s “reprehensible” conduct as he was handed a three-year good behaviour bond and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.

“This behaviour is not only morally reprehensible, it’s criminal,” magistrate Robyn Denes told Parramatta Local Court at the time of sentencing.

“Ultimately, this is an offence which takes what was consensual sexual acts to another level. It does breach trust.”

What May plans to tell the Panthers board is that the grand final post was never intended to be viewed for what the rest of the rugby league world saw it as: a footballer with no remorse or any consideration for the emotional damage or impact on a young woman.

Not to mention the immediate – and continuing – brand damage and pressure the post has put the club under management just a tick past day 26 since the grand final.

Instead, May will tell the board that the post was intended to be a statement of pride in that from his humble roots of Minchinbury and Blacktown, he had “grew up out of it” and won a premiership.

The photo selection was, apparently, a tribute to his loyal coach Cleary.

That is likely to be the May version – but in the court of public opinion, it doesn’t wash.

Which is why May is fighting to save his career at Penrith.

Football boards won’t admit it, but the impact on the team will also come into any decision.

What impact does letting May go have on the club’s salary cap and depth, particularly in the position of their outside backs?

May’s $250,000 salary would assist the club’s bid to retain off-contract heavyweights Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau.

But more immediately, once May’s gone, the premiers may have to use some of that money to replenish their backline, having already lost centres Paul Momirovski (Roosters), Matt Burton (Bulldogs) and Brent Naden (Bulldogs).

Only a few weeks ago, a fed-up Canterbury board illustrated they want their culture to mean something by letting Adam Elliott go after a series of ethical blunders.

Now it’s Penrith’s decision time. Let’s see what they stand for.