Tyrone may have to go
October 24, 2021 — 5.30am
The Panthers baulked at sacking Tyrone May for his part in the 2018 sex-tapes scandal that rocked the club to its core, but after Wednesday’s board meeting, it’s the club, and not May, which will be under scrutiny if it doesn’t act this time.
Penrith gave May a big second chance when they chose not to dismiss him after he narrowly escaped a custodial sentence last year. May pleaded guilty in 2019 to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent. During his sentencing in January 2020, Magistrate Robyn Denes said May’s behaviour was “right on the cusp of a custodial sentence”.
The Panthers did the right thing by subsequently helping him with counselling as they sought to assist his rehabilitation. However, they now have more than enough ammunition to dismiss him after his third very public strike.
May appeared to play the victim in a social media post following Penrith’s grand final win when he captioned a photo of himself and Panthers coach Ivan Cleary leaving Parramatta Local Court with lyrics from Canadian rapper Drake: “And the dirt that they threw on my name turned to soil and I grew up out it.”
May was stood down by the club on Tuesday after the NRL fined him $7500 and instructed him to complete further education programs after “social media posts which do not align with the values of the game”.
Now questions are being asked about why the Panthers would not let him go.
At the start of last season he was the other player involved in the TikTok COVID-19 breach with Nathan Cleary. Throw in his recent issues and Penrith have more than enough to sack him. The issue, however, is there is significant support for May at the Panthers.
Digging into the sex-tapes scandal at Penrith in 2018 revealed a meeting that the panicked Panthers had with their players. Players were asked to come clean about any potential breaches of the club’s code of conduct, misbehaviour or further sex tapes. I’ve been told that as many as 18 of the club’s full list of contracted players raised their hands to confess to one form of misdemeanour or another.
To be clear, I am not suggesting that 18 players admitted to appearing in sex tapes, but sources with knowledge of the meeting have told me 18 players admitted to some form of indiscretion.
If May survives this latest stupidity, Panthers officials are going to be the ones under pressure and any slip-up from a player will bring untold attention on the club.
Luke Thompson’s stance on COVID vaccination could have a big effect on where Luke Brooks plays next season.
www.smh.com.au