The Sydney Roosters’ roster shake-up ahead of the 2025 NRL season continues, with a recently delisted midfielder reportedly on the verge of signing a free agency deal with a rival club.
While the Roosters have yet to officially confirm the departure, sources close to the situation suggest Terrell May — one of the club’s most promising young forwards — has reached advanced talks with a rival Sydney-based team, believed to be the Wests Tigers.
May’s Departure Marks the End of a Development Era
May, 25, was seen as part of the Roosters’ next-generation pack but fell victim to the club’s salary cap balancing act after a string of high-profile signings. Despite several strong performances off the bench in 2024, the Roosters informed May he was free to explore his options, effectively delisting him from their 2025 plans.
The Tigers, eager to rebuild their forward depth, have moved swiftly. Reports indicate May’s deal will span three years, with an official announcement expected once the free agency window formally opens.
Club Reshuffle and Cap Pressure
The move follows the Roosters’ aggressive recruitment drive, headlined by their pursuit of elite talent in key positions. With the likes of Joseph Manu, Angus Crichton, and Brandon Smith all commanding significant salaries, fringe players like May became the unfortunate casualties.
A Roosters official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision was “purely business.”
“Terrell’s a great player and has done everything right, but we’re simply out of room. He deserves regular first-grade minutes, and this move gives him that opportunity.”
Tigers Rebuild Gathers Steam
For the Tigers, the signing is another crucial piece in a larger rebuild. Under coach Benji Marshall, the club has prioritised young, high-potential forwards who can bring both mobility and aggression.
May’s arrival could see him form a new-look middle rotation alongside David Klemmer and Fonua Pole, giving the Tigers’ engine room a much-needed boost.
What It Means for the Roosters
The Roosters’ decision to let May go highlights the difficulty of maintaining depth in a squad packed with representative talent. It also opens the door for emerging forwards from their development system, such as Naufahu Whyte and Sandon Smith, to step up in 2025.
As one door closes for May at Bondi, another opens across town — and his next chapter could very well come back to haunt the Roosters next season.
