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Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Meninga's Ashes message to Ponga
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says Kalyn Ponga's decision to make himself unavailable for the national side in 2024 won't rule him out of contention for the Ashes squad later this year. Meninga has one eye on the massive series that returns after a lengthy hiatus, but his main focus for now is on State of Origin, which kicks off in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Ponga is back in the No.1 jersey where he's hoping to fire after a quiet couple of months for the Knights, with the former Dally M Medal winner in the mix to earn a Kangaroos call-up if he can dominate the series. The 27-year-old caused a stir last year when he turned down a potential Kangaroos debut so he could focus on the Knights, only to change his mind following public backlash. Meninga didn't pick Ponga in the squad for the Pacific Championships, with Dylan Edwards doing a wonderful job as Australia beat Tonga in the final. And while last year's situation was far from ideal, Meninga won't let it cloud his judgment if Ponga excels in Origin and puts his hand up to represent Australia amid speculation he could one day play for New Zealand. 'One of the reasons he didn't want to play last year for the Kangaroos was because of fatigue,' the Immortal said. 'We had those conversations last year, so that's not going to impinge on him playing for Australia. 'If he comes out and kills it for Queensland … I'm going to pick the best players (at the end of the year) to represent their country. 'Because of conversations we had in the past, that's not going to reflect in the future.' Mal Meninga has teamed up with DrinkWise to deliver an important message. DrinkWise Credit: Supplied Meninga is big on respect for the jersey, and he's also promoting respect for everyone and encouraging footy fans to drink in moderation during the Origin period. The rugby league legend has teamed up with DrinkWise to encourage fans to celebrate the action responsibly at the ground, the pub or at home with friends and family. 'It's a great initiative to use Origin and rugby league as a vehicle to talk about social change around moderation or drinking responsibly,' he said. 'Respect for each other when you go to a game or you're at home is really important. For me, respect is part of our behaviours and standards for the Kangaroos, so that marries up really well for me. 'Players in the modern age do drink responsibly, or some don't drink at all because they understand the responsibility to their community, club and mates. 'Drinking in moderation is a smart move for their careers, and as I said before, respect is pretty prevalent in our game.' Meninga has seen players like Cameron Munster give up alcohol and the positive impact that's had on and off the field, with the former Maroons coach backing the Queensland star's halves partner to fire on Wednesday night. Daly Cherry-Evans hasn't been at his brilliant best as the world waits for him to sign with the Roosters, but Meninga is tipping him to put that behind him when he pulls on the maroon jersey. Daly Cherry-Evans has been in all the headlines this year after telling Manly he's leaving at the end of the season. Lachie Millard Credit: News Corp Australia 'He's our leader, and that's what leaders do – they've got to lead from the front,' he said. ''Chez' won't be worried by what's going on because he's got so much experience. All this chatter off the field isn't going to worry him or the team. 'They might have had a quick chat about it at the start of camp, but I reckon they've moved on past all that. 'Whatever Daly does for next year isn't going to have an impact on his or Queensland's performance.' Meninga didn't pick Cherry-Evans in the Australian side last year, with Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden combining brilliantly. The way Cherry-Evans handled his demotion impressed Meninga, who has been pleased to see the veteran playmaker work so enthusiastically with Dearden even though he took his place in the team. 'He cares about the players around him,' Meninga said. 'Even if there's another half who he's in competition with, he's always there to help out. He's got that team mindset, which you need.'
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
‘I'm going to pick the best players': Mal Meninga's Ashes message to Kalyn Ponga after last year's Kangaroos snub
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga says Kalyn Ponga's decision to make himself unavailable for the national side in 2024 won't rule him out of contention for the Ashes squad later this year. Meninga has one eye on the massive series that returns after a lengthy hiatus, but his main focus for now is on State of Origin, which kicks off in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Ponga is back in the No.1 jersey where he's hoping to fire after a quiet couple of months for the Knights, with the former Dally M Medal winner in the mix to earn a Kangaroos call-up if he can dominate the series. The 27-year-old caused a stir last year when he turned down a potential Kangaroos debut so he could focus on the Knights, only to change his mind following public backlash. Meninga didn't pick Ponga in the squad for the Pacific Championships, with Dylan Edwards doing a wonderful job as Australia beat Tonga in the final. And while last year's situation was far from ideal, Meninga won't let it cloud his judgment if Ponga excels in Origin and puts his hand up to represent Australia amid speculation he could one day play for New Zealand. 'One of the reasons he didn't want to play last year for the Kangaroos was because of fatigue,' the Immortal said. 'We had those conversations last year, so that's not going to impinge on him playing for Australia. 'If he comes out and kills it for Queensland … I'm going to pick the best players (at the end of the year) to represent their country. 'Because of conversations we had in the past, that's not going to reflect in the future.' Meninga is big on respect for the jersey, and he's also promoting respect for everyone and encouraging footy fans to drink in moderation during the Origin period. The rugby league legend has teamed up with DrinkWise to encourage fans to celebrate the action responsibly at the ground, the pub or at home with friends and family. 'It's a great initiative to use Origin and rugby league as a vehicle to talk about social change around moderation or drinking responsibly,' he said. 'Respect for each other when you go to a game or you're at home is really important. For me, respect is part of our behaviours and standards for the Kangaroos, so that marries up really well for me. 'Players in the modern age do drink responsibly, or some don't drink at all because they understand the responsibility to their community, club and mates. 'Drinking in moderation is a smart move for their careers, and as I said before, respect is pretty prevalent in our game.' Meninga has seen players like Cameron Munster give up alcohol and the positive impact that's had on and off the field, with the former Maroons coach backing the Queensland star's halves partner to fire on Wednesday night. Daly Cherry-Evans hasn't been at his brilliant best as the world waits for him to sign with the Roosters, but Meninga is tipping him to put that behind him when he pulls on the maroon jersey. 'He's our leader, and that's what leaders do – they've got to lead from the front,' he said. ''Chez' won't be worried by what's going on because he's got so much experience. All this chatter off the field isn't going to worry him or the team. 'They might have had a quick chat about it at the start of camp, but I reckon they've moved on past all that. 'Whatever Daly does for next year isn't going to have an impact on his or Queensland's performance.' Meninga didn't pick Cherry-Evans in the Australian side last year, with Mitch Moses and Tom Dearden combining brilliantly. The way Cherry-Evans handled his demotion impressed Meninga, who has been pleased to see the veteran playmaker work so enthusiastically with Dearden even though he took his place in the team. 'He cares about the players around him,' Meninga said. 'Even if there's another half who he's in competition with, he's always there to help out. He's got that team mindset, which you need.'
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy bad boy Todd Carney's MAFS star wife reveals the shocking reason she wasn't turned off by his infamous act in a public toilet
Todd Carney's wife Susie Pearl says she wasn't shocked or repulsed when she found out her future husband was the man behind one of rugby league's most infamous photos. The 'bubbler' image, which showed Carney appearing to urinate into his own mouth in a Cronulla nightclub toilet, ended his NRL career in 2014. For many, it became a symbol of a wasted talent and a career derailed by alcohol. But for Pearl, it was just 'something dumb' she'd seen before. 'The only thing I knew (about Todd) was my partner's brother at the time had also done the bubbler,' she said. 'And I knew it was the same thing as the guy from football. Then when I realised who Todd was, it was the only two things I linked together. 'Well, I liked him instantly so no, it was not a turn-off. Who doesn't do that crap?' Carney's NRL career began in 2004 with the Canberra Raiders. But off-field issues, including a police chase in 2007, saw him sacked in 2008. The Sydney Roosters gave him another chance in 2010, where he won the Dally M Medal. Despite that high, Carney was again sacked in 2011 due to alcohol breaches. He later joined Cronulla and was again on the rise until the bubbler incident ended his career for good. Carney admitted he still feels shame about the photo, which went viral within hours. In his 2019 autobiography Hard Truth, he wrote, 'It was a stupid party trick, very tasteless and inappropriate.' He said the fallout hurt his family deeply, especially calling his mum and sisters to explain before it became national news. 'I was ashamed and embarrassed for myself, my family, the club and the game,' he wrote. Susie said the couple have had a rocky relationship but found strength in Carney's honesty. 'We haven't had a smooth go at all. His alcoholism ultimately led to us separating for a year,' she said. Susie said she never judged Carney for the bubbler and said it was just a stupid act, like we are all capable of 'Todd ended up taking himself to rehab, and if it wasn't for him admitting himself, we wouldn't be here today.' Carney now lives a quieter life on the Gold Coast. He works as a concreter and owns several properties and a tattoo parlour in Bali. He has maintained friendships with former teammates like Braith Anasta and Paul Gallen. 'Yes, I hurt fans, organisations and the businesses I was playing for, but the person I hurt most was myself,' he said. He still suffers anxiety in public toilets, fearing people will mock him. 'Every time I go to a public toilet, I find myself anxious that blokes will see me in there and take the mickey out of me,' Carney said. 'It made me who I am now,' he previously said. 'I've got a tattoo that says: 'Everything happens for a reason'. I believe it does.' Pearl, who rose to fame on Married At First Sight, believes many people don't see the real Todd. 'Todd, really in my opinion, is someone who is quite introverted,' she said. 'He is very well spoken and holds himself so well, especially in a professional situation. 'But the second he has to perform socially, he's obviously had his trouble with alcoholism and can be uneasy and introverted.' Their bond is stronger now, she says, because she sees what others don't. 'I'm lucky because I get to see all the sides of him, and I believe he's the best human in the world.'
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Is Ponga the be-all and end-all for the Knights? Results suggest not really
Are the Knights any better or worse without star fullback Kalyn Ponga? Results-wise, not really. As they prepare for their first game this season without their marquee man, as it stands, Newcastle's win percentage with Ponga in the side since his first game in 2018 is 44.03 per cent. Without him, it's 42.22 per cent. The evenness in their results with or without him comes as somewhat of a surprise given how influential Ponga can be. All too often Newcastle are accused of being "over-reliant" on their skipper. And they very well might be. But when he is out, is there a collective lift, consciously or not, among the rest of the players, knowing full well Ponga isn't there to produce some magic? "I reckon there's an opportunity there, if that is the case - and I'm not saying that it is," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said. "Over-reliance? You could agree with that. He is a quality player, and most teams rely on their best strike weapons. "But he is not with us this week, so we have to adjust and we'll need our leaders to stand up, and our young blokes - and there's a few of them - to put their best foot forward." Ponga is Newcastle's best player by a country mile, and one of the best in the competition. He has won the Danny Buderus Medal on three occasions as the club's player of the year - in 2018, 2020 and 2023. He was crowned the NRL's best player in 2023, winning the Dally M Medal, and has gone close in other years as well. But in recent seasons, Newcastle have produced some fair showings without him, albeit among some average ones. The results might be mixed overall, 19 wins, two draws and 24 losses in the 45 games he has missed, but the likes of Fletcher Sharpe, David Armstrong and even Lachlan Miller have come in at fullback and made for pretty handy replacements. Even as far back as in Ponga's first two years at the club, when Nathan Brown was coach, the Knights won games with the likes of Nick Meaney and Kurt Mann at fullback. Sharpe has reverted to the No.1 jersey for Saturday's clash with Penrith, after playing the first 10 games this season at five-eighth. More a runner, than a ball-player, expect the Cessnock junior to play more like a traditional fullback. The Knights will tweak their style at Bathurst's Carrington Park to suit him. "We'll play a lot more, well less expansive," O'Brien said. "I anticipate we'll get Fletch in and around the ball a lot more. "He's a runner, more than a passer, so that's probably the way that we'll go." In addition to Ponga, the Knights are missing injured prop Jacob Saifiti (calf), centre Bradman Best (hamstring) and winger Greg Marzhew (knee). All three appear unlikely for next Friday's match against the Dragons in Sydney as well, and whether Ponga backs up less than 48 hours after Wednesday's Origin in Brisbane remains to be seen. It has left Newcastle a little light on. Fletcher Hunt, who debuted last week, will play his second NRL game on the left wing. The 19-year-old will likely be outside fellow rookie Kyle McCarthy, 21, who is making just his third NRL appearance. Penrith are sure to target that edge, but the four-time defending premiers are an even more depleted outfit than Newcastle. Without seven NRL regulars, they're missing a combined 1128 games of first-grade experience. Halfback Nathan Cleary, fullback Dylan Edwards, lock Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To'o and back-rower Liam Martin are on NSW duty, while forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Luke Garner are also out. Penrith, however, have enjoyed a reign of supremacy over Newcastle for a decade. The Panthers have won 14 of the past 16 games the two sides have played. Newcastle's win came in 2018, while there was a draw in 2020. Penrith claimed a 38-20 victory the last time the teams met in Bathurst, in round three, 2022. Kick-off is from 5.30pm. Are the Knights any better or worse without star fullback Kalyn Ponga? Results-wise, not really. As they prepare for their first game this season without their marquee man, as it stands, Newcastle's win percentage with Ponga in the side since his first game in 2018 is 44.03 per cent. Without him, it's 42.22 per cent. The evenness in their results with or without him comes as somewhat of a surprise given how influential Ponga can be. All too often Newcastle are accused of being "over-reliant" on their skipper. And they very well might be. But when he is out, is there a collective lift, consciously or not, among the rest of the players, knowing full well Ponga isn't there to produce some magic? "I reckon there's an opportunity there, if that is the case - and I'm not saying that it is," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said. "Over-reliance? You could agree with that. He is a quality player, and most teams rely on their best strike weapons. "But he is not with us this week, so we have to adjust and we'll need our leaders to stand up, and our young blokes - and there's a few of them - to put their best foot forward." Ponga is Newcastle's best player by a country mile, and one of the best in the competition. He has won the Danny Buderus Medal on three occasions as the club's player of the year - in 2018, 2020 and 2023. He was crowned the NRL's best player in 2023, winning the Dally M Medal, and has gone close in other years as well. But in recent seasons, Newcastle have produced some fair showings without him, albeit among some average ones. The results might be mixed overall, 19 wins, two draws and 24 losses in the 45 games he has missed, but the likes of Fletcher Sharpe, David Armstrong and even Lachlan Miller have come in at fullback and made for pretty handy replacements. Even as far back as in Ponga's first two years at the club, when Nathan Brown was coach, the Knights won games with the likes of Nick Meaney and Kurt Mann at fullback. Sharpe has reverted to the No.1 jersey for Saturday's clash with Penrith, after playing the first 10 games this season at five-eighth. More a runner, than a ball-player, expect the Cessnock junior to play more like a traditional fullback. The Knights will tweak their style at Bathurst's Carrington Park to suit him. "We'll play a lot more, well less expansive," O'Brien said. "I anticipate we'll get Fletch in and around the ball a lot more. "He's a runner, more than a passer, so that's probably the way that we'll go." In addition to Ponga, the Knights are missing injured prop Jacob Saifiti (calf), centre Bradman Best (hamstring) and winger Greg Marzhew (knee). All three appear unlikely for next Friday's match against the Dragons in Sydney as well, and whether Ponga backs up less than 48 hours after Wednesday's Origin in Brisbane remains to be seen. It has left Newcastle a little light on. Fletcher Hunt, who debuted last week, will play his second NRL game on the left wing. The 19-year-old will likely be outside fellow rookie Kyle McCarthy, 21, who is making just his third NRL appearance. Penrith are sure to target that edge, but the four-time defending premiers are an even more depleted outfit than Newcastle. Without seven NRL regulars, they're missing a combined 1128 games of first-grade experience. Halfback Nathan Cleary, fullback Dylan Edwards, lock Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To'o and back-rower Liam Martin are on NSW duty, while forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Luke Garner are also out. Penrith, however, have enjoyed a reign of supremacy over Newcastle for a decade. The Panthers have won 14 of the past 16 games the two sides have played. Newcastle's win came in 2018, while there was a draw in 2020. Penrith claimed a 38-20 victory the last time the teams met in Bathurst, in round three, 2022. Kick-off is from 5.30pm. Are the Knights any better or worse without star fullback Kalyn Ponga? Results-wise, not really. As they prepare for their first game this season without their marquee man, as it stands, Newcastle's win percentage with Ponga in the side since his first game in 2018 is 44.03 per cent. Without him, it's 42.22 per cent. The evenness in their results with or without him comes as somewhat of a surprise given how influential Ponga can be. All too often Newcastle are accused of being "over-reliant" on their skipper. And they very well might be. But when he is out, is there a collective lift, consciously or not, among the rest of the players, knowing full well Ponga isn't there to produce some magic? "I reckon there's an opportunity there, if that is the case - and I'm not saying that it is," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said. "Over-reliance? You could agree with that. He is a quality player, and most teams rely on their best strike weapons. "But he is not with us this week, so we have to adjust and we'll need our leaders to stand up, and our young blokes - and there's a few of them - to put their best foot forward." Ponga is Newcastle's best player by a country mile, and one of the best in the competition. He has won the Danny Buderus Medal on three occasions as the club's player of the year - in 2018, 2020 and 2023. He was crowned the NRL's best player in 2023, winning the Dally M Medal, and has gone close in other years as well. But in recent seasons, Newcastle have produced some fair showings without him, albeit among some average ones. The results might be mixed overall, 19 wins, two draws and 24 losses in the 45 games he has missed, but the likes of Fletcher Sharpe, David Armstrong and even Lachlan Miller have come in at fullback and made for pretty handy replacements. Even as far back as in Ponga's first two years at the club, when Nathan Brown was coach, the Knights won games with the likes of Nick Meaney and Kurt Mann at fullback. Sharpe has reverted to the No.1 jersey for Saturday's clash with Penrith, after playing the first 10 games this season at five-eighth. More a runner, than a ball-player, expect the Cessnock junior to play more like a traditional fullback. The Knights will tweak their style at Bathurst's Carrington Park to suit him. "We'll play a lot more, well less expansive," O'Brien said. "I anticipate we'll get Fletch in and around the ball a lot more. "He's a runner, more than a passer, so that's probably the way that we'll go." In addition to Ponga, the Knights are missing injured prop Jacob Saifiti (calf), centre Bradman Best (hamstring) and winger Greg Marzhew (knee). All three appear unlikely for next Friday's match against the Dragons in Sydney as well, and whether Ponga backs up less than 48 hours after Wednesday's Origin in Brisbane remains to be seen. It has left Newcastle a little light on. Fletcher Hunt, who debuted last week, will play his second NRL game on the left wing. The 19-year-old will likely be outside fellow rookie Kyle McCarthy, 21, who is making just his third NRL appearance. Penrith are sure to target that edge, but the four-time defending premiers are an even more depleted outfit than Newcastle. Without seven NRL regulars, they're missing a combined 1128 games of first-grade experience. Halfback Nathan Cleary, fullback Dylan Edwards, lock Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To'o and back-rower Liam Martin are on NSW duty, while forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Luke Garner are also out. Penrith, however, have enjoyed a reign of supremacy over Newcastle for a decade. The Panthers have won 14 of the past 16 games the two sides have played. Newcastle's win came in 2018, while there was a draw in 2020. Penrith claimed a 38-20 victory the last time the teams met in Bathurst, in round three, 2022. Kick-off is from 5.30pm. Are the Knights any better or worse without star fullback Kalyn Ponga? Results-wise, not really. As they prepare for their first game this season without their marquee man, as it stands, Newcastle's win percentage with Ponga in the side since his first game in 2018 is 44.03 per cent. Without him, it's 42.22 per cent. The evenness in their results with or without him comes as somewhat of a surprise given how influential Ponga can be. All too often Newcastle are accused of being "over-reliant" on their skipper. And they very well might be. But when he is out, is there a collective lift, consciously or not, among the rest of the players, knowing full well Ponga isn't there to produce some magic? "I reckon there's an opportunity there, if that is the case - and I'm not saying that it is," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said. "Over-reliance? You could agree with that. He is a quality player, and most teams rely on their best strike weapons. "But he is not with us this week, so we have to adjust and we'll need our leaders to stand up, and our young blokes - and there's a few of them - to put their best foot forward." Ponga is Newcastle's best player by a country mile, and one of the best in the competition. He has won the Danny Buderus Medal on three occasions as the club's player of the year - in 2018, 2020 and 2023. He was crowned the NRL's best player in 2023, winning the Dally M Medal, and has gone close in other years as well. But in recent seasons, Newcastle have produced some fair showings without him, albeit among some average ones. The results might be mixed overall, 19 wins, two draws and 24 losses in the 45 games he has missed, but the likes of Fletcher Sharpe, David Armstrong and even Lachlan Miller have come in at fullback and made for pretty handy replacements. Even as far back as in Ponga's first two years at the club, when Nathan Brown was coach, the Knights won games with the likes of Nick Meaney and Kurt Mann at fullback. Sharpe has reverted to the No.1 jersey for Saturday's clash with Penrith, after playing the first 10 games this season at five-eighth. More a runner, than a ball-player, expect the Cessnock junior to play more like a traditional fullback. The Knights will tweak their style at Bathurst's Carrington Park to suit him. "We'll play a lot more, well less expansive," O'Brien said. "I anticipate we'll get Fletch in and around the ball a lot more. "He's a runner, more than a passer, so that's probably the way that we'll go." In addition to Ponga, the Knights are missing injured prop Jacob Saifiti (calf), centre Bradman Best (hamstring) and winger Greg Marzhew (knee). All three appear unlikely for next Friday's match against the Dragons in Sydney as well, and whether Ponga backs up less than 48 hours after Wednesday's Origin in Brisbane remains to be seen. It has left Newcastle a little light on. Fletcher Hunt, who debuted last week, will play his second NRL game on the left wing. The 19-year-old will likely be outside fellow rookie Kyle McCarthy, 21, who is making just his third NRL appearance. Penrith are sure to target that edge, but the four-time defending premiers are an even more depleted outfit than Newcastle. Without seven NRL regulars, they're missing a combined 1128 games of first-grade experience. Halfback Nathan Cleary, fullback Dylan Edwards, lock Isaah Yeo, winger Brian To'o and back-rower Liam Martin are on NSW duty, while forwards Isaiah Papali'i and Luke Garner are also out. Penrith, however, have enjoyed a reign of supremacy over Newcastle for a decade. The Panthers have won 14 of the past 16 games the two sides have played. Newcastle's win came in 2018, while there was a draw in 2020. Penrith claimed a 38-20 victory the last time the teams met in Bathurst, in round three, 2022. Kick-off is from 5.30pm.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Terrell May once ate so much junk food he put on 25kg in two months. Last week, he didn't eat for three days
In the lead up to Wests Tigers' clash with Melbourne, Terrell May did not eat for three days. 'No one knows this, just the boys and the coaches, but I fasted for three days last week,' May says. 'There's heaps of benefits to a 72-hour fast. I just feel like I needed my body to reset. 'Just water, and I had black coffee here and there to stave off my hunger. I don't know if that's normal for people. 'Day two is the worst; you feel lazy and hungry, not focused. But once day three comes, it's like you're a new person. You actually feel more focused.' Not that the benefits were immediately apparent. 'Whatever the benefits,' May adds, referencing last weekend's 64-0 capitulation to the Storm, 'It didn't benefit me because we still got pumped.' May, who describes his current weight of 115kg as being a touch on the heavy side, has not always been so fastidious with his diet. During one of his sabbaticals from football, the Tigers prop put on 25 kilograms in two months, blowing out to 135kg. There was nothing high performance about his nutritional regime at the time. 'My breakfast would be a Macca's dinner box – like the breakfast one – and then for lunch I would have a Hungry Jack's box, and then in between that I would have like $50 worth of chocolates, lollies and chips,' he says. 'Then for dinner I'd eat whatever my family's eating.' Sometimes the Maccas family bundle wasn't enough on its own. 'Four burgers, four chips, four drinks, 20 nuggets,' he says. 'And then I'll get apple pie and sundaes, too. That was lunch. 'Breakfast was four McMuffins, four drinks, four orange juices, four hash browns.' Those burger-munching days are a thing of the past. May has embraced a lean, animal-based diet, free of seed oils and unnatural sugars. Instead of energy drinks, the 26-year-old turns to coconut water mixed with raw honey and Celtic salt. Never a big drinker, he recently marked four years without touching alcohol. 'I try to stay healthy because if I'm eating good and prepping my body for a long game, it's going to be the best outcome,' he says. Those lifestyle choices have had a profound effect. May has made a wildly successful transition from the Roosters to the Tigers, to the point where he is arguably the form prop in the NRL alongside Payne Haas. There have even been calls for May and Haas to be the starting front-rowers for NSW in the Origin series. 'It is one of my goals I have,' May says of the prospect of a Blues debut. 'You're not just playing for a team, you're playing for the whole state. 'I always dreamed of just playing one NRL game, but to be in the conversations, and seeing if I'm actually going to make it for my state, I feel like I'm playing for something more than just my family and myself. 'I feel like I'm playing for the whole state and whoever goes for the Blues.' Sitting second on the Dally M Medal leaderboard behind only Will Kennedy, May has made a compelling case for selection. He averages 172 metres and 40 tackles a game at an efficiency of 97.4 per cent. There isn't a prop in the game that comes close to his average game time of 72.7 minutes. A Blues debut would mean so much to the May family that father Jay, who has a fear of flying, is prepared to board a plane to attend the opening match at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. 'Obviously it would mean a lot to me, but emotionally for my dad and my parents, they've worked so hard to just get their kids into the NRL and that was always a goal for them, for one of us to play in the State of Origin,' May says. 'And that's the only game that will probably make him cry, seeing me in that jersey.' There are other motivating factors behind May's stunning form surge. All his life, people have told the Mount Druitt product that he won't make it. At school, teachers predicted he wouldn't have a career in rugby league, and he didn't make the 30-man squad at Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown. Then there are the haters on social media, where May is active with his vlogs and gaming channel. 'I've had a bigger 'why' this year – to prove everyone wrong and to prove myself wrong, that I was better than what I am,' he says. 'I just feel like I have a lot to prove, not to just myself, but to all the people that doubted me before I went to the Tigers. 'All the people that were saying stuff about me, each week I go into it trying to prove those haters wrong, so it's been good.' And then there's the Roosters. For reasons that have never been properly articulated, the Tricolours chose to cut the Samoan international free. It's a decision that has provided even more motivation. 'They're another big reason why I want to play very good this year,' May says. 'Obviously a lot of stuff happened in the past, but that was one of my big motivations, to come in this year and prove to them, why would you let me go? 'But at the end of the day, I've moved forward and that was my motivation for a bit, but now my motivation is different.' Pushing himself to the limit is a recurring theme. In a bid to churn out marathon minutes, May ran a marathon in the off-season. With the help of friends, including footballing brothers Jake and Izack Tago, May completed the 42.2km he had marked out from his house in Mount Druitt to a track in Werrington. 'It's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life,' he says of a journey that took five hours and 37 minutes. 'It took me a week to recover from that.' During next off-season, he plans to run an official marathon, with a goal of completing it in under four hours. 'I feel like in NRL or life in general is more mental than physical,' he says. 'I feel like whatever you put your mind to, you're gonna do it. Whenever I'm struggling or feel some type of way about stuff physically, I just always go back to my mental [toughness]. 'I just look at it as I should just be grateful. It hurts at the time, but at the end of the day, you're doing what you love.' Another driver is the ambition to play with his younger brother. Taylan May was sacked by the Panthers, but the winger is permitted to return to the NRL after domestic violence charges levelled against him were withdrawn. Loading Taylan has declared he is ready to return to the game after a stint in rehab. 'No one knew about what was going on with him, so it was a bit hard on the family and myself,' Terrell says. 'I just know he really wants to come back and play in the NRL. 'Obviously when you're playing with your brother, you're going to have more motivation, so hopefully he can come over [to the Tigers] and we can get the best out of him. 'He's still young, he's only 23, he's still got a lot to learn, and his body will get bigger, he'll get faster, stronger. 'Hopefully he'll come over and prove to everyone that he's still got it. We'll pray and see what happens.' We're all waiting to see what Terrell does next.
