https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/02/12/bouncing-back-why-super-sub-role-may-be-best-bet-for-tyrone/
Passing game on the rise
May's first step in putting together a strong season is locking down a specific role – even if that role isn't in the starting side.
It's worth keeping in mind that in the modern game players can make a major impact on their team's fortunes as a bench specialist. Melbourne's Brandon Smith earned the Kiwis No.9 jersey and became one of the NRL's best players as a bench player. Kurt Gildey once famously (or infamously) captained the NSW Origin side as a bench utility.
And May is already a creative weapon off the bench. During his eight appearances as an interchange player last season he produced four try assists and five line-break assists – the best among bench players in the NRL in both categories. (Former Panthers Tyrone Peachey ranked second with three try assists and two line-break assists, with more than twice as much game time as May.)
With a total of seven try assists and eight line-break assists for the season, May was easily the Panthers' third most prolific playmaker behind Jarome Luai (23 try assists, 20 line-break assists) and Nathan Cleary (17 try assists, 11 line-break assists) despite ranking 14th at the club for minutes played.
Running game on the slide
That role as an extra ball-player off the bench looks the most natural fit for May, who won't unseat star duo Cleary and Luai in the halves and who lacks the explosive running game of star centre Stephen Crichton or even Naden or Momirovski.
Crichton (17 tries in 26 games), Naden (20 tries in 30 games) and Momirovski (14 tries in 19 games) are already noted finishers in the early stage in their careers, while May has crossed for a relatively low seven tries in 35 matches across three seasons.
In fact May's running game is trending downward since his rookie season. He averaged an excellent five tackle breaks per 80 minutes in 2017 (playing mostly at five-eighth), then 2.3 tackle breaks per 80 in 2018, and only 0.7 busts per 80 minutes last year.
May's defence gave him the edge over Naden in coach Ivan Cleary's plans late last season, but the recruitment of Momirovski – who was solid in limited appearances as a back-up option at Melbourne last year – suggests the Panthers aren't settled on their preferred starting backline just yet.
May's defensive lapses in the grand final don't help his chances of retaining that starting spot, while another Panther – second-rower Kurt Capewell – was a surprise success story in the centres during Queensland's shock State of Origin win at the end of 2020.
With so much competition at centre the best result for May could be locking down the No.14 jersey. With rival playmaker Matt Burton bound for the Bulldogs in 2022 (or potentially earlier) the bench utility role could be May's most sure-fire way of keeping a spot in the team and producing consistent performances.
Not only can he play the role of Mr Fix-it if injuries strike, but his ability to create try-scoring chances for teammates is an added bonus for a team already blessed with plenty of strike power in the starting side.
