Phil Gould, the Bulldogs’ chief, has disclosed that he nearly secured the signing of Terrell May, and now sees the front-rower as a potential candidate for a State of Origin debut.
The 25-year-old has shone brightly for the Wests Tigers during the first two rounds, prompting his former club, the Sydney Roosters, to reconsider their decision to let him go last year.
May’s career thus far has been a tumultuous journey, having played his junior football at Penrith before stepping away from the sport for several years.
He eventually made his return, starting in the NSW Cup before breaking into the Roosters’ top squad, where he had a standout season and represented Samoa.
His move to the Tigers during the off-season attracted considerable attention, particularly due to the Roosters not offering a clear rationale for his departure.
May has claimed that he did not receive a satisfactory explanation from anyone at the Roosters regarding their decision to part ways, especially since he had signed a contract extension just months prior.
Terrell May in action for the Tigers. Getty
As the 2025 season progresses, the decision to let May go appears increasingly perplexing, as he consistently impresses and places himself in contention for a position in the NSW Blues squad in May.
“Given his performances in the past few weeks and his achievements from last year, he certainly has a chance of representing NSW,” Gould commented on Wide World of Sport’s Six Tackles With Gus.
“Terrell is a late bloomer, yet he’s establishing Origin-worthy benchmarks in his performances.
“In his earlier years, Terrell may not have been as focused as some of his peers and consequently slipped through the cracks. However, he has shown a newfound determination to demonstrate his talent.
“He has a bright future ahead and the Tigers made a smart decision in signing him.
“The details surrounding his departure from the Roosters remain vague, as both he and the club haven’t shed much light on the situation, but it has clearly benefited the Wests Tigers.”
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In his first two games, May has averaged 183 running metres and made 39 tackles. While it’s just a small sample size, Tigers fans have already embraced the prop.
Gould has also praised May’s talents—who is known for having a distinct personality off the field—and disclosed his wish to bring him to Belmore before May extended his contract with the Roosters.
Phil Gould. Nine
“I actually shook hands with his manager on a deal 16 months ago, but it never came to fruition,” Gould stated.
“I won’t delve into the specifics… but I’ve always regarded Terrell as a promising player. He’s an incredibly driven individual with plenty of excellent football ahead of him.
“While I’m not declaring that he will play Origin, he possesses the qualities required to succeed if he maintains his current trajectory.
“If the team is after an 80-minute middle forward—Terrell May would fit right in and would certainly not be daunted by the challenge.”
When asked for more details about the unsuccessful signing, Gould chose not to elaborate.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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