Thanks bro! Terrell sets up Taylan in dream Wests Tigers debut

Peter Maniaty

Thanks bro! Terrell sets up Taylan in dream Wests Tigers debut image

Wests Tigers fans haven’t had to wait long to see their latest recruit get amongst the scorers, with Taylan May crossing in the thirteenth minute of the nail-biting 21-20 win over the Gold Coast Titans.

To the delight of the Leichhardt Oval faithful, the final pass was thrown by May’s older brother, Terrell, making the occasion even more memorable for the 23-year-old who had his contract with the Penrith Panthers torn up in July 2024.

After scoring a hat-trick for feeder club Wests Magpies in NSW Cup last weekend, Taylan was rushed into first-grade by Benji Marshall for the clash, bolstering a Tigers backline missing fullback Jahream Bula.

Today’s match against the Titans marks the first time Terrell and Taylan have played together in the same NRL side—however the pair have played against each other, most recently in Round 4 of 2024 when Terrell was with the Sydney Roosters and Taylan with Penrith.

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Taylan May’s career went on indefinite hold in May 2024 under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy after being arrested on domestic violence-related charges, before being released by Penrith two months later, where he had played 30 NRL matches between 2021-24.

The charges were dropped earlier in 2025 and May was picked up on a train and trial contract by the Tigers last month.

“All players deserve a second chance and we think this is the environment which gives him the best chance of success both on and off the field,” Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said when May joined the club in June.

Tigers fans will be hoping today’s win is the first of many for the May brothers.

 

Peter Maniaty

Peter Maniaty is a contributing Wires Writer at The Sporting News based in Sydney, Australia