The Terrell May interview which set alarm bells ringing at the Sydney Roosters

This is the interview that ended Terrell May’s tenure at the Sydney Roosters, as the club begins enforcing a cultural shift at Bondi.

I don’t wanna play.

They were the four words that ended Terrell May’s time at the Sydney Roosters.

Despite playing all 27 games of the 2024 season, the Roosters last week told a shocked May he was free to leave the club immediately, despite signing a $950,000 contract extension in April.

While the Roosters won’t comment publicly, this masthead has been told that May’s carefree attitude towards rugby league – and the club – was the catalyst for his shock exit.

Roosters hierarchy demand their players are fully invested and some felt May wasn’t totally committed to the club and the game.

May also wielded some influence over a number of young players at the club – another concern for Roosters officials.

The club has no ill-feelings towards May.

Concern for May’s future at the Roosters started in September when he conducted a media interview during the finals campaign.

Terrell May. NRL Imagery

He said: “Sometimes I just get ‘I don’t wanna be there and don’t wanna play’.

“I gave it away twice, when I was 18 and then when I was 20. Both times I just didn’t want to play anymore. I get like that throughout the year as well.

“It’s a weird feeling. I don’t think many people experience it where one week they love the game and go on the TV screens and the next week they don’t want to be there at all.”

The comments set off alarm bells at Bondi Junction.

One of the Roosters’ best players in 2024, May is well-liked at the club.

“I was devastated for him,” Roosters teammate Angus Crichton said last week.

Terrell May (L) held plenty of influence over a number of young players at the club. Picture: David Becker

“He is literally straight as an arrow. He doesn’t drink, he is a really good guy and he hasn’t done anything off the field to warrant this.”

May was subjected to hurtful and incorrect accusations about why he was told to leave the club.

He also said in the interview: “Sometimes I just feel I could quit, like in a day. It sounds a bit weird, but I get those thoughts sometimes where I’m just like, ‘Is this really for me? I’m very grateful to be where I am and play with the Roosters, but rugby league isn’t the whole of me.

“Then you just look at the bigger picture. You need to support your family and I couldn’t do it without footy. I have aspirations to take the club to the grand final and play for NSW.”

May represented Samoa in their two-Test series against England in England.

Originally published as The Terrell May interview which set alarm bells ringing at the Sydney Roosters