LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The recent omission of Wests Tigers forward Terrell May from the NSW State of Origin team for Game 1 has sparked considerable debate, especially with the announcement of his exclusion.
May has demonstrated strong performance this season, averaging 175 running metres per game and completing 467 tackles over 11 rounds, positioning him ahead of other contenders like Max King and Stefano Utoikamanu for selection.
Many fans expressed outrage over his absence from the squad.
Former NSW coach Laurie Daley addressed the backlash, explaining his decision not to include May.
"I think it was more about the fact that other players have been playing particularly well.
Max King, what he's been able to do has been excellent," he stated.
Daley acknowledged May's good form but emphasized that other players were also performing well, indicating that May should continue to "keep banging down the door" for future opportunities.
He added, "But we just thought at this stage in Game 1 that's the team we wanted to go with.
Max deserves his chance.
Stefano has really improved out of sight the past couple of weeks."
Despite Daley's rationale, many fans remain skeptical about the reasoning behind May's exclusion, prompting various theories about the selection process.
One prevalent theory is linked to the new influence of Craig Bellamy, the Melbourne Storm coach now serving as an advisor for the Blues in the 2025 Origin series.
Bellamy's role includes offering insights during the Storm's byes and on game-day, leading to speculation that he may have provided input on May's defensive weaknesses, affecting his selection.
In summary, the discourse surrounding Terrell May's snub has raised questions about the broader dynamics of team selection, particularly the potential impact of Bellamy's advisory role and the perceived internal competition among players vying for a spot in the prestigious State of Origin series.