A twist in the Taylan May saga has seen the 24-year-old reject a longer-term contract at Wests Tigers for a short-term deal.
The Tigers tabled a three-year offer last week worth $1.5 million but May knocked it back because he wants a shorter deal on more money.
On Tuesday evening the club confirmed May, who joined on a train-and-trial deal in June, has signed a two-year extension instead.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
‘Leaked 70 points with me as captain’ | 02:32
“I’m grateful for the opportunity the Tigers have provided me and the belief and faith that Benji and the coaching staff have shown in me,” May said.
“I’ve been able to live out a dream to play in the NRL alongside my brother, it’s something that we’ll both remember for the rest of our lives. I’m excited for that to continue and remain part of this group.”
Prior to his Tigers lifeline he was clubless after splitting with the Panthers in July last year following an off-field issue.
After starting in New South Wales Cup, May made his Tigers debut in Round 20 and has impressed with four tries and eight linebreaks in seven appearances, while also averaging six tackle busts and 113 running metres per game.
“We’ve been impressed with the way Taylan has come into our club. The work he is doing not only on the field but off it to become a better person is awesome to watch,” coach Benji Marshall said.
“We’re excited to see him get a full pre-season under his belt and know his best footy is ahead of him here at the Tigers.
“We’re happy to have him and his family with us for the next two years.”
The Rabbitohs were monitoring the situation after having him tour their facilities earlier in the year.
UK IMPORT SET FOR SUPER LEAGUE RETURN
Lewis Dodd could return to the Super League with a club reportedly interested in signing him for next season.
Dodd joined the Rabbitohs ahead of this season in a highly-publicised three-year, $2 million deal but has fallen short of expectations.
The 23-year-old played just six NRL games — three off the bench — and was told by the club last month that he’s free to go if he can find a deal elsewhere.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports French Super League club Catalans Dragons are close to getting a deal done with Dodd, who played 88 games for St Helens before his NRL move.
It’s a potential move that could see Dodd link up with Toby Sexton after the Bulldogs playmaker signed a two-year deal.
Meanwhile, Catalans are looking to bolster their halves options after granting three-time NRL premiership-winner Luke Keary an early release from his contract. Keary will retire from professional rugby league and return to Sydney.
The Rabbitohs are stacked with halves options next season between Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Jamie Humphreys and Ashton Ward. They’ve also signed Jonah Glover from the Dragons and are also expected to extend their loan of Bud Sullivan.
SHARKS STAR TO RESIST R360 INTEREST
Sharks fullback Will Kennedy has brushed off any interest in a switch to the rebel rugby union competition R360 and wants to extend his stay in the Shire.
Kennedy comes off contract at the end of the season and is reportedly on the radar of the R360 competition, which is pencilled in to launch next year.
However, the 28-year-old toldZero Tacklethat he wants to “stay in the NRL” and is hopeful of earning an extension with the Sharks.
“I played a bit of rugby in school, so that’s all I’ve got in me,” Kennedy said.
“It looks like a fun game though, rugby union, but I want to stay in the NRL, especially having a little one on the way as well.
“Hopefully, by the end of the year, I can get something done here at the club. They know how much I love them. Love it here and love them as a club.
“It hasn’t distracted me much. I’m just enjoying the moment and enjoying footy with the boys, so if I’m doing that, I’m happy at home as well.”
Kennedy has been solid at the back for the Sharks with eight tries and 14 try assists in 24 appearances this season. He also leads his team in linebreak assists (17) and averages 111 running metres per game.
It’s been reported that the club has tabled a one-year extension to Kennedy, but there’s also the highly-rated Liam Ison coming through too who will be vying for the No.1 jersey.
‘World of pain’ Knights look to 2026 | 00:34
KNIGHTS TO ADD ANOTHER PLAYMAKER TO STABLE
The Newcastle Knights have reportedly won the race for Sandon Smith’s signature in a move that further clouds just what their first-choice spine could look like in 2026.
The Newcastle Herald’s Barry Toohey reported on Monday afternoon that Smith is set to join the Knights on a four-year deal.
While Smith filled in for the Roosters in the halves, he is instead expected to line up at hooker for Newcastle with Phoenix Crossland shifting to lock forward and Tyson Frizell moving to the front row.
That would allow marquee recruit Dylan Brown to link up in the halves with Fletcher Sharpe, who was having a standout 2025 season before it was cut short by injury.
Tyson Gamble is also contracted until the end of 2026 season, as is Jack Cogger, but the former Panther has been linked with a move back to the foot of the mountains.
Smith’s manager previously said the Knights were among five teams to have shown interest in the Roosters playmaker, with the Cowboys, Raiders, Dragons and Rabbitohs also keen.
An interesting subplot of the signing is that Justin Holbrook, an assistant at Smith’s current club the Roosters, is a leading candidate for the vacant Knights coaching gig.
MORE NRL NEWS
CRAWLS: Hip drop drama exposes NRL finals issue; Madge’s Reynolds dilemma
TEAM TIPS: NRL’s stunning Hynes backflip; injury disaster rocks Raiders
TALKING POINTS: ‘Shocked’ Sharks’ big Nicho call; Galvin hides Dogs problem
FINALS FIXTURES: Week 1 draw including times as 18-yr first revealed
FORWARD EARNS MASSIVE DEAL FROM SYDNEY CLUB
Broncos forward Kobe Hetherigton is set for a move to Sydney after reportedly putting pen-to-paper on a massive deal with Manly.
The hard-working middle has enjoyed a solid season at the Broncos and his form has earned him a long-term deal with the Sea Eagles.
According to Code Sports, Hetherington will join Manly on a four-year deal.
During the off-season, he became a favourite of first year Broncos coach Michael Maguire and featured in all 24 games this season, helping Brisbane to a top four position.
For Manly, Hetherington fills a position of need, with the Sea Eagles’ middle forward depth really tested at times this season due to several injuries.
FUTURE OF DRAGONS PAIR IN LIMBO
The futures of a pair of Dragons, fullback Cody Ramsey and halfback Lachlan Ilias, are reportedly in limbo.
Both have been integral parts of the club’s success in the NSW Cup this year, but it’s unclear if they’ll be at the Dragons next season.
Ilias played several games in first grade to start the season but was axed in Round 9 and hasn’t been in the NRL since, with coach Shane Flanagan preferring to leave halfback duties to his son Kyle.
Despite Ilias’ stellar form in NSW Cup, he remains on the outer as it has been reported that the halfback has been given permission to look elsewhere with a year left on his deal.
However, Flanagan sort of shut down any idea Ilias will be moving on.
“He’s on contract next year,” Flanagan said.
Sharks utility Dan Atkinson will join the Dragons next season and has been earmarked as the club’s next halfback.
Meanwhile, the SMH have reported that Ramsey, who is the NSW Cup captain, has only been offered a train and trial deal for 2026.
Ramsey is keen to play first grade in the near future but may have to look elsewhere for that opportunity or a more secure contract.
Ramsey is said to have interest in relocating to the UK, however his lack of playing time in recent years means he doesn’t qualify for a Super League contract.
The 25-year-old has had a rough trot, missing nearly three years of football because of a chronic bowel disease.
BRONCOS’ $2M MAN TO INK MEGA EXTENSION
Payne Haas is set to shun the R360 rebel league and sign a mega Broncos extension that could make him the NRL’s first $2 million a season player.
The Daily Telegraph reported Haas is set to sign a bumper new Broncos deal until at least the end of 2028, before the November 1 deadline.
Haas’ management has reportedly hired a Brisbane marketing firm to maximise the star prop’s brand power and potential earnings to allow him to shun the riches on offer elsewhere and remain at the Broncos long-term.
The huge boost for the Broncos comes as Haas was being chased for a big money switch to the new R360 rugby union competition.
Haas could earn $2.2 million a season with the rebel league that ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys labelled “pie in the sky”.
R360 reportedly have a September 30 deadline to sign new players, but Haas’ agent Ahmad Merhi claims his client is set to sign a multi-year extension with Brisbane.
“If Cameron Munster moves to Perth, maybe Payne will move to Melbourne to play five-eighth,” Merhi said sarcastically.
MORE NRL NEWS
RACE: Shock NRL plans for GF showdown emerge as star speedsters go head-to-head
‘LACK OF CLASS’: Stoic Flanno concedes Dragons key issue after season fade-out
‘BEST IN THE GAME’: Robbo marvels at Teddy’s evolution as Roosters answer critics
“I’ve had no contact with anyone from R360.
“If it is legitimate, I’m happy to chat to them about my client, but Payne is happy at the Broncos and wants to win a premiership.
“After the way the Broncos played the other night, they are a big chance this year.”
Off-contract at the end of 2026, Haas is free to negotiate with rivals from November 1 and he would be the most sought after signing in the game as the NRL’s No.1 prop.
However, Haas has no desire to leave the Broncos and his agent has been in constant talks with the club for the past six months over an extension.
Haas is set to sign a new deal for 2027 and beyond, according to his agent.
“I know where Payne’s heart is and it’s with the Broncos,” Merhi said.
“There’s no plan to go to the open market.
“I’m confident we’ll have a new deal done before November 1 which would be great for Payne and the Broncos.”
The 25-year-old has scored 13 tries in 139 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2018 and has played 17 Origins for the Blues and four Tests for the Kangaroos to date.
The 2023 Grand Final loss to the Panthers burns Haas and a premiership looms as his final hurdle in rugby league, but winning it could mean he leaves to pursue other opportunities elsewhere in the future.
‘That’s on me’: Benji owns Tigers’ fade | 02:42
CRICHTON SET TO SIGN MONSTER BULLDOGS EXTENSION
Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton is reportedly set to sign a $5 million long-term extension to keep him at the Bulldogs until the end of the 2030 season.
The Daily Telegraph reported Crichton is set to sign a three-year extension on top of his current deal, which expires in 2027.
The new deal is worth approximately $1 million a season, which includes significant upgrades for 2026 and 2027.
The star centre’s current contract is worth a reported $850,000 a season.
Crichton’s manager Sam Ayoub met with Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould on Wednesday.
“I’ve got no comment to make until it’s finalised,” Ayoub said.
“We don’t conduct our negotiations through the media.”
Crichton is still just 24 and has scored 69 tries in 141 NRL games for the Panthers and Bulldogs since his NRL debut in 2019, including 13 from 41 in his first two seasons at Belmore.
The three-time premiership winner has also scored three tries in 12 Origins for the Blues and four tries in six Tests for Samoa to date.
The Bulldogs are also in talks to extend fullback Connor Tracey, putting an end to rumours they are chasing Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga.
And coach Cameron Ciraldo is well down the track in talks for an extension which will line up with Crichton’s three year extension from 2027 when his current deal expires.