SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Taylan May of the Panthers makes a break during the round 23 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium, on August 18, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The 2024 NRL season is still weeks away from kicking off, yet clubs are already looking towards 2025 and beyond with a host of big name NRL talent now officially able to discuss their futures with rival clubs.
We've already seen Addin Fonua Blake pledge his future to the Sharks in 2025 despite a 2024 trial game squad not even yet being named.
Two players now able to negotiate for 2025 come in the form of the May Brothers, Terrell and Taylan.
Terrell May had a super impressive debut season in 2023 with the Roosters, while Taylan played a big part in helping his Panthers to a title in 2022 before injury robbed him of his '23 season.
I have no doubt that both will be in huge demand.
With Terrell May recently making comments that he'd love to play beside his brother(s), there is a very real possibility that they may arrive as a package deal in 2025.
This isn't a certainty but there are a number of clubs who could use both players in a big way.
Below are five clubs I see as potential landing spots for the May brothers in 2025:
The Bulldogs have been on an aggressive, multi-year recruitment drive.
The one negative surrounding recent signings is that they seemed to be signing players almost at random. Almost without an obvious plan.
In both Terrell and Taylan May the Dogs would be signing an elite level prop and a classy winger/centre.
Reports are that the Dogs have already tabled an offer to the Roosters giant. My guess is that offer would be both monetary and a guaranteed starting spot.
Taylan is yet to be linked to the club although I'd be very confident in an Addo-Carr/May wing combination if I were wearing blue and white.
The Dogs need a player of Terrell 's size, ability and price-tag far more than another outside back but it's not as though taking Taylan would be a negative either.
As well as adding two quality players, perhaps more importantly the Dogs would be fixing a huge issue at great value.
I would argue signing Terrell at $500,000 (roughly) would be far better to their rebuild than going out and signing a million dollar prop.
This is as close to a must sign for the Dogs as I can name.
Taylan would just be a very powerful, quick and skilful cherry on top.
The idea of this move absolutely frightens me.
Taylan May could very well re-sign with Penrith. He's expected to slot into the centre spot vacated by Stephen Crichton.
He was incredible on the wing for the Panthers in 2022 but it would be very difficult to shift Sunia Turuva after an equally impressive season.
Adding Terrell May to the Panthers pack would almost be cheating at this point.
They've had to allow Spencer Leniu to move on due to cap restraints while Zac Hosking had also left the club in the search of more playing time.
I'm not sure of the cap situation but you'd have to imagine Jahrome Luai's moving to the Tigers at the end of the season will allow them some room to move.
With Daine Laurie returning to the club and a plethora of internal options, the future of the number six looks secure. That money could strengthen elsewhere.
Re-signing Taylan looks very likely while adding yet another May brother in Terrell would complete the package.
With Terrell already saying he'd move to play with his brother(s), this looks a very real possibility.
If the thought of the May brothers securing a future in Penrith is scary than the thought of potentially playing in the Melbourne system is a downright nightmare.
Craig Bellamy, who despite rumours may never actually retire, has made a name on getting the most out of players.
He has turned average first graders into rep stars. Imagine what he can do with someone like Terrell May. Yikes! Taylan too.
Both would be arriving from good systems so it's not as though he'd be plucking them out of a reserve grade set up, but players seem to take that extra jump in the purple.
The Storm were a little undermanned in the engine room in 2023. If that can't improve in the early rounds, Bellamy may be forced into a change.
Justin Olam's leaving the club and Reimis Smith's indifferent form in 2023 also have a potential spot out wide up for grabs.
Both players shape as "Bellamy signings" in every sense of the word.
I don't know if they're looking around right now but if Bellamy is looking, that says a lot about the talent of both brothers.
With Jesse Bromwich retiring at year's end, the Dolphins need a pack leader.
Terrell May is still young but has every attribute to be just that!
The Dolphins have a backline full of weapons but I would argue May would be the final piece, replacing Tesi Niu.
The Phins need to continue to improve year on year to lock in a first Finals appearance and signing both Mays to their roster would certainly see an improvement. At least in terms of personnel.
Wayne Bennett may be leaving his post at the end of the 2024 season but his being involved would help negotiations.
Right now the Dolphins biggest need for '25 is a huge prop forward. May would be a dream signing if the Dolphins can pull off the double coupe.
Again, this is said with no disrespect to Taylan, would would be ever dangerous outside either Harnworth or Averillo.
Canberra are a club in need of a desperate refresh.
They lost superstar Jack Wighton and will soon say goodbye to both Jordan Rapana and Elliott Whitehead through retirement at the end of 2024.
Josh Papali'i cannot play for ever either.
This is an aging squad and one that could do with an injection of fresh blood.
In Terrell (24) and Tylan (22) they would be signing players who fit two needs - both in terms of position and in bringing youth.
I would go say far as to say that if I'm in the Canberra recruitment team I am ringing the May brothers agent(s) first thing tomorrow to try and get a deal done.
Their upside is tremendous and their positions are ones of need.
The more I think about it, if the Green Machine have the salary cap space available, they could and should be major players in the race to sign both of these players.