
Terrell May: Contract, Brothers, Roosters Exit & 2025 News
There’s a reason rugby league fans keep an eye on the May family: Terrell May, a 26-year-old prop from Mount Druitt, has already packed more drama into a few NRL seasons than most players see in a decade — from a shock Roosters exit to a long-term Tigers deal that keeps him in the game until 2030. Here’s what you need to know about his career, his brothers, and the questions still hanging over his 2025 season.
Date of Birth: 29 April 1999 ·
Height: 183 cm ·
Weight: 108 kg ·
Position: Prop forward ·
Current Club: Wests Tigers ·
Instagram Followers: 49K
Quick snapshot
- Plays as prop for Wests Tigers (Wests Tigers official site)
- Brother of Taylan May (TBR Rugby League)
- Left Roosters in 2024 (Zero Tackle)
- Signed extension until 2030 (Wests Tigers)
- Exact reason for missing NRL Round 10 trial (personal reasons not specified) (Zero Tackle)
- Exact salary figures (not publicly disclosed) (Yahoo Sports Australia)
- Nature of controversy with brother Taylan May (Yahoo Sports Australia)
- Exact nature of internal tensions at Roosters (Zero Tackle)
- Born 29 April 1999 in Blacktown, NSW (Wikipedia)
- Debuted for Sydney Roosters in 2022 (Wikipedia)
- Released by Roosters late 2024 (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Signed with Tigers for 2025, extended to 2030 (Wikipedia)
- Expected to return to NRL in 2025 season after personal leave (Yahoo Sports Australia)
- Likely to play alongside brother Taylan at Tigers from 2026 (Wests Tigers)
- Contract runs through 2030, securing long-term home (Wikipedia)
Six facts pulled from the official record, one pattern: Terrell May’s career is defined by movement — from the Penrith system to the Roosters, then a quick exit to the Tigers, and now a decade-long commitment.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Terrell Davis May |
| Date of Birth | 29 April 1999 |
| Nationality | Samoa international |
| Position | Prop forward |
| Current Club | Wests Tigers |
| Previous Club | Sydney Roosters |
Why is Terrell May out?
Terrell May missed the Wests Tigers’ NRL Round 10 trial against the Melbourne Storm in early 2025. The club Zero Tackle (NRL news site) reported that the absence was due to personal reasons, but no further details were released. Fans and analysts have speculated about the cause, but the club and May have kept the matter private.
Will Terrell May play this weekend?
As of mid-2025, May is expected to return to the field in the coming rounds. The Tigers’ coaching staff has indicated that his absence is temporary and not related to injury. “He’s dealing with something personal, and we’re supporting him through it,” a club source told Yahoo Sports Australia.
What injury does Terrell May have?
No injury has been reported. The club’s official statement cited personal reasons, not a physical ailment. This has led to speculation about family matters, but nothing has been confirmed.
The club’s handling of the situation suggests privacy is a priority.
Are Terrell May and Taylan May related?
Yes — they are brothers. Terrell May (Wests Tigers) and Taylan May (Penrith Panthers) are two of three rugby league-playing siblings in the May family. According to TBR Rugby League (league analysis site), the brothers grew up in Tregear, Mount Druitt, and all three played junior rugby league together.
How many May brothers are in the NRL?
Two: Terrell May (Wests Tigers) and Taylan May (Penrith Panthers). A third brother, Kaylan May, plays in lower grades and has not yet cracked the NRL. The bond between the brothers is strong; Terrell has publicly stated that a family-first environment was a factor in his decision to join the Tigers.
Who are the other May siblings?
The May family includes three brothers: Tyrone, Terrell, and Taylan. Tyrone May played for Penrith Panthers before retiring from the NRL due to off-field issues. Terrell and Taylan are the active NRL players, with Taylan currently at the Panthers and Terrell at the Tigers.
Terrell chose the Tigers partly to play with Taylan from 2026 — but that move also means leaving the Panthers system where his brother still plays. It’s a family reunion with a competitive price.
The family bond is a central theme in his career decisions.
Why did the Roosters get rid of Terrell May?
Terrell May was released by the Sydney Roosters in late 2024, a move that surprised many fans. According to The Sydney Morning Herald (leading Australian news outlet), the Roosters told May he was free to explore his options and leave immediately. The decision came after May had signed a two-year contract extension worth around $950,000 earlier in 2024.
What was the real reason behind May’s Roosters exit?
Reports from Yahoo Sports Australia suggest that internal tensions and a desire for more game time drove the split. Roosters coach Trent Robinson reportedly called May while he was in Samoa camp to explain the club’s decision. May later criticized the nature of his exit, calling it “disrespectful” in a social media post.
Did Terrell May request a transfer?
May did not formally request a transfer, but the club made it clear he was free to leave. The Tigers, Bulldogs, and Dragons were all interested, but May chose the family-friendly environment at Wests Tigers.
The Roosters’ decision to release a player they had just re-signed reveals a club that values internal culture over individual talent. For May, it was a wake-up call about the business side of rugby league.
The exit reshaped his career trajectory.
Is Terrell May leaving the Tigers?
No — in fact, he’s staying longer. In May 2026, the Wests Tigers announced that Terrell May had signed a contract extension that keeps him at the club until the end of the 2030 season. The deal, announced as the “MAYDAY” deal, also included his brother Taylan May joining the Tigers. Wests Tigers (official club site) confirmed that Terrell still had 18 months remaining on his existing three-year deal before the extension.
Did Terrell May sign a new contract?
Yes, the extension was announced in 2026, but the original three-year deal (2025-2027) was already in place. The new deal adds three more years, locking him in through 2030.
What is Terrell May’s contract status?
Terrell May is currently contracted to the Wests Tigers until the end of the 2030 NRL season. He is expected to play alongside his brother Taylan for the next four seasons after the 2026 extension.
The long-term commitment signals stability for both player and club.
How many May brothers are there in NRL?
Two brothers are currently in the NRL: Terrell May (Wests Tigers) and Taylan May (Penrith Panthers). A third brother, Tyrone, played NRL earlier but is now retired. The family is known for its rugby league talent, with all three brothers having played in the Penrith system at some point.
What is the May family background?
The May brothers grew up in Tregear, Mount Druitt, a suburb of Sydney known for producing tough rugby league players. Their father, according to TBR Rugby League, was a former rugby league player himself. The family’s Samoan heritage is a source of pride; Terrell and Taylan both represent Samoa internationally.
Where did the May family grow up?
Mount Druitt, in Western Sydney. The area has a strong rugby league culture, and the May brothers were part of the Penrith Panthers junior system. Terrell’s journey from Mount Druitt to the NRL is a classic story of talent and determination.
The May name is now synonymous with NRL talent. With two brothers in the league and a third just below, the family is a rugby league dynasty in the making.
The family’s roots remain a key part of his identity.
Timeline
- 29 April 1999: Terrell May born in Blacktown, NSW (Wikipedia)
- 2020: Junior career in Penrith system; not drafted to NRL (TBR Rugby League)
- 2022: Debuts for Sydney Roosters (Wikipedia)
- Late 2024: Released by Roosters, signs with Wests Tigers (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Early 2025: Misses NRL Round 10 trial vs Melbourne Storm due to personal reasons (Zero Tackle)
- 2030: Contract extension runs until end of 2030 season (Wikipedia)
Confirmed facts
- Terrell May plays as a prop for Wests Tigers (Wests Tigers)
- He is the brother of Taylan May (TBR Rugby League)
- He left Roosters in 2024 (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Signed extension until 2030 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for missing trial in Round 10 (personal reasons not specified) (Zero Tackle)
- Exact salary figures (not publicly disclosed) (Yahoo Sports Australia)
- Nature of controversy with Taylan May (Yahoo Sports Australia)
- Exact nature of internal tensions at Roosters
- Born in Blacktown, NSW, Samoa international (Wikipedia)
Key quotes
“We are thrilled to extend Terrell’s contract until 2030. He is a key part of our future.”
— Wests Tigers official statement, May 2026
“The real reason behind May’s Roosters exit was a desire for more game time and a fresh start.”
— Fox Sports (Extra Time), reported by Yahoo Sports Australia
“I’m grateful for the opportunity at the Tigers and excited for the future. Family comes first.”
— Terrell May, via Instagram
Terrell May’s story is one of resilience and family loyalty. From the Mount Druitt fields to the bright lights of the NRL, he has navigated club exits, personal setbacks, and public scrutiny. For the Wests Tigers, the gamble on the May brothers is a bet on culture and talent. For the player himself, the choice is clear: stay home, play with his brother, and build a legacy at Concord. Or risk the same instability that marked his early career.
For more on the circumstances behind Terrell Mays move to the Tigers, the Coast Monitor provides a detailed breakdown of his departure from the Roosters.
Frequently asked questions
What is Terrell May’s salary?
Exact figures are not publicly disclosed. Reports suggest his Tigers deal is worth around $2 million over three seasons, but the club has not confirmed this.
Why did Terrell May leave Penrith?
May never made it to the NRL from the Penrith system. He debuted for the Roosters in 2022 after moving on from the Panthers’ junior ranks.
Does Terrell May have any children?
There is no public information about children. He keeps his personal life private.
What college did Terrell May attend?
He did not attend college; he went straight into professional rugby league from the junior system.
Is Terrell May injured currently?
No. His absence in early 2025 was due to personal reasons, not injury.
What is Terrell May’s debut NRL year?
2022, for the Sydney Roosters.
Has Terrell May played for Samoa?
Yes, he is a Samoa international rugby league player.