Terrell May cops a reality check over stunning comments as door opens for Ben Hunt bid
The Roosters forward has been called out over his past comments.
Roosters forward Terrell May has copped a serve for his past comments surrounding a lack of motivation to play NRL footy with a path opening up for Ben Hunt to join the club after a Brandon Smith update. The Roosters left fans stunned last week having told bulldozing forward May he can negotiate a deal with rival clubs having only just signed a $950,000 contract extension.
Plenty has been made over why the Roosters opted to let May leave having played 26 games for the club in 2024 and been highly-rated for his impact. May hasn't been forced out the door and can stay, but there will be no shortage of clubs wanting to sign May in 2025 due to his ability to score tries.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Roosters first became concerned with May when he conducted an interview and claimed his interest in the game wavers. While admitting he was grateful to play for the Roosters, he also claimed many fans wouldn't understand what he was going through.
“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," he said in September. “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.”
And with his comments coming back to light, Andrew Voss and Penrith legend Greg Alexander have questioned whether May's words have gone down well with fans and the club. "I remember thinking that is a really bizarre thing to say," Alexander said on Thursday on SEN Radio.
"If your Roosters teammate or administration or coach you are going 'what is going on here?'. The Roosters aren't saying this is why he was let him go, but there is pretty strong mail that it played a big part."
Andrew Voss offers Terrell May reality check
Roosters teammate Angus Crichton admitted he was rocked at hearing May could be at another club in 2025. However, Vossy hit back at May's comment's and claimed it was an eye-opener for fans having suggested many NRL supporters work seven-days a week.
"Part of me just wants to be a bit fatherly and say to Terrell welcome to the world. A lot of us go to work, don't want to. Good days, bad days," he said. "The rugby league lifestyle is very different and to say people don't understand. But people do understand...there are people working seven days a week and then some. I really do feel reality check here."
Alexander added: "If you don't want to play, and if you are not motivated to play, out you go. And obviously the Roosters thought, 'what are we doing,' you can move on."
While there was plenty of speculation to why the Roosters made the sudden call to allow May leeway to negotiate with other clubs, the forward hit back at online criticism. "(It has) nothing to do with off-field stuff," May wrote on his Instagram after speculation.
Brandon Smith future opens door for Ben Hunt
While May appears to be set to leave the Roosters immediately, utility Brandon Smith's future is also in doubt. Smith is on around $850,000 a year at the Roosters and reporter Michael Chammas believes he won't be at the club after his contract ends in 2025.
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“I don’t see him at the Roosters beyond next year. I think they are making plans for life without Brandon Smith,” Chammas said on the James Graham The Bye Round podcast. “I hear he’s in a good head space, and they’re happy the way he finished the year.
“But all the mail I’ve been getting out of the Roosters is that next year will be his final year at the club, and they’ll move into a different direction.” This could open the door for a two-year deal for Hunt who could play halfback in 2025 - with Sam Walker expected to miss at least half of the season - and switch to utility in 2026.
