‘I thought it was a prank call from Robbo’: May breaks silence on Roosters exit

[A Country Member]

The signing of May earlier in the year was a power play aimed at the Bulldogs who were also courting him. His signature lessened the Bulldogs signing spree to quell their gradual rise up the pecking order for the time being. This hopefully keeps the Chooks thereabouts for 2025 and possibly limiting the Bulldogs chances. They’d rather him go to the Tigpies late, rather than a fellow challenger for a spot in the eight.

There’ll be more of this with two new teams coming in and clubs hoarding talent.

[On the Nose]

Robbo got May from a reserve grader to a 750k contract.

When you say he has failed in getting the most out of this individual, fair to say I'm confused...

You left out the bit about being sacked. So yeah that's a failure to get the best out of him. It doesn't matter how many times they repeat the 'other direction' line, few believe this, so the same questions from the journo's will continue. May seems genuinely surprised by the manner of his sacking, and had to suffer abhorrent rumors and inuendo, so he has a right of reply whenever he is asked. His payout is irrelevant.

[Chook2]

You left out the bit about being sacked. So yeah that's a failure to get the best out of him. It doesn't matter how many times they repeat the 'other direction' line, few believe this, so the same questions from the journo's will continue. May seems genuinely surprised by the manner of his sacking, and had to suffer abhorrent rumors and inuendo, so he has a right of reply whenever he is asked. His payout is irrelevant.

Yes also seemed the players really backed him and teddy and Gus were shocked and disappointed with the news
the rumours came straight out about may misbehaving off field, sleeping with other players partners, getting on the drink which he doesn’t and not being disciplined off field which hurt his reputation

while the roosters moved on and got off Scott free - apart from other clubs players and funs shocked with a team letting a gun player go on good money

if it was the cheese on a big pay packet not living up to it on and off the field that would make more sense

[Rooster_6]

You left out the bit about being sacked. So yeah that's a failure to get the best out of him. It doesn't matter how many times they repeat the 'other direction' line, few believe this, so the same questions from the journo's will continue. May seems genuinely surprised by the manner of his sacking, and had to suffer abhorrent rumors and inuendo, so he has a right of reply whenever he is asked. His payout is irrelevant.

His release is irrelevant to what he got out of him during his time here.

[Rooster_6]

May's career trajectory and earning potential are largely dependent on May himself and his manager. Robbo's job is to use May effectively within the team environment and get the best out of him on the field, like any other player.

I believe he values the buy-in and like mindedness of a player over their actual ability in many instances, not just May. For me, it is about putting your best 17 out every week and using different techniques to get the best out of each individual to work towards the collective goal. For him to think May has reached his potential (if that is indeed what he said, we'll never know) and that he doesn't fit into our best 17, there is more nuance to his decision making apart from ability alone. As I think nearly everyone would agree that he hasn't reached his potential at age 25.

Basically in a nut shell the job of the coach is to either get every player to completely buy in either directly or indirectly. If he considered May surplus to requirements based off perceived lax attitude or not attending end of season events, then he isn't willing to get the most of him as a player.

Fundamentally I agree that the player is the defining factor in how far they develop and to what level they reach. Coaches are only the final 10%

I also think we have different understandings of why he was told he wasn't wanted. It wasn't to do with attitude, it was to do with the style of play. Same reason Bennett told Damian Cook he wasn't wanted. Same reason Bellamy told Justin Olam he wasn't wanted. It's not due to lack of ability but rather the profile of player and their inability or reluctance to adapt to the sides overall needs.

Every coach does it and rightly so, it's contrary to any logical reasoning to think otherwise.

[Chook2]

Fundamentally I agree that the player is the defining factor in how far they develop and to what level they reach. Coaches are only the final 10%

I also think we have different understandings of why he was told he wasn't wanted. It wasn't to do with attitude, it was to do with the style of play. Same reason Bennett told Damian Cook he wasn't wanted. Same reason Bellamy told Justin Olam he wasn't wanted. It's not due to lack of ability but rather the profile of player and their inability or reluctance to adapt to the sides overall needs.

Every coach does it and rightly so, it's contrary to any logical reasoning to think otherwise.

Different factors here though
Bennett has just come to south’s and didn’t want cook - so not liked he has played him re signed him then let him go a few months later

olam went from dally m centre to playing res grade with injuries and poor form meaning they were paying good money for a res grader so it was best for all parties to move on

May wasn’t on big money and playing res grade

[Rooster_6]

Different factors here though
Bennett has just come to south’s and didn’t want cook - so not liked he has played him re signed him then let him go a few months later

olam went from dally m centre to playing res grade with injuries and poor form meaning they were paying good money for a res grader so it was best for all parties to move on

May wasn’t on big money and playing res grade

Different scenarios but thats neither here nor there, fundamentally my argument is that the coach deserves the right to select his squad based on the style of play they want and to what end the player suits that, their opinion will fluctuate from season to season and that is normal across all coaches and clubs.

My response is in regard to the premise that a coach should work with the squad he has got and get the most out of it regardless of whether they fit the profile you are after. I feel some of that context has been removed in the framing of your response.

[Chook2]

Different scenarios but thats neither here nor there, fundamentally my argument is that the coach deserves the right to select his squad based on the style of play they want and to what end the player suits that, their opinion will fluctuate from season to season and that is normal across all coaches and clubs.

My response is in regard to the premise that a coach should work with the squad he has got and get the most out of it regardless of whether they fit the profile you are after. I feel some of that context has been removed in the framing of your response.

My response is in regard to the premise that a coach should work with the squad he has got and get the most out of it regardless of whether they fit the profile you are after

yes exactly so why is Robinson not working with the squad that he has got - and with with May even though he doesn’t fit “his” profile of what he wants
that’s exactly the argument

With the argument it’s more that there was valid reasons to move them on a new coach coming in and a highly paid underperforming res grader
not a first grader who was one of our best last year

[Rooster_6]

My response is in regard to the premise that a coach should work with the squad he has got and get the most out of it regardless of whether they fit the profile you are after

yes exactly so why is Robinson not working with the squad that he has got - and with with May even though he doesn’t fit “his” profile of what he wants
that’s exactly the argument

With the argument it’s more that there was valid reasons to move them on a new coach coming in and a highly paid underperforming res grader
not a first grader who was one of our best last year

I think you've misread my post.

My response was in regards to that statement from Huncho... That is not my position at all.

I don't believe a coach should be adapting their game style towards the players they have. There has to be some level of pragmatism and players will always have a level of influence around how you play but the fundamental game style should be set by the coach and the recruitment and development pathways aligned with that philosophy of play.

[On the Nose]

The fundamental game style played by Easts has not changed for 10 years, despite the game changing completely in 2020. Robbo was looking like a one trick pony until last year, when we/he adapted (really well I may add) to Vanderleys touch. Robbo clearly adapted the style to the players notably Sam in recent times, rather than continue to try and turn him into another Cronk, which wasn't working. I am more than happy that we haven't recruited this year and going with the juniors. I wish we did it earlier.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

A power game is nothing new to Robbos coaching manifesto. It's just we've had mixed results in implementing it consistently year upon year. The intent has always been there.

[Vasco]

The fundamental game style played by Easts has not changed for 10 years, despite the game changing completely in 2020. Robbo was looking like a one trick pony until last year, when we/he adapted (really well I may add) to Vanderleys touch. Robbo clearly adapted the style to the players notably Sam in recent times, rather than continue to try and turn him into another Cronk, which wasn't working. I am more than happy that we haven't recruited this year and going with the juniors. I wish we did it earlier.

I agree. Load up for a couple of big guns for 2026.

[Thirteen]

What the *uck does a power game mean. It’s rugby league. Aren’t all forwards meant to be running hard and powerfully. What a *ucking cop out.

[BTRD]

Sam Moa was great. Run hard and straight. None of the stupid side ways baloney.

[King Salvo]

What the *uck does a power game mean. It’s rugby league. Aren’t all forwards meant to be running hard and powerfully. What a *ucking cop out.

A Power Game is both Attack and Defence -they use graphics for this

Briefly this is as follows

Attack - Metres made per run and set / Metres made post contact per run and set / Line breaks and where they are made on the field and how many tries are scored as a result
Defence - Shows how many tackles a team makes and misses / where these tackles are on the field / where on the field the dominant tackles were made / tackles that forced turnovers and errors