May claims won't distract 'professional' Panthers

Taylan May (right) has been stood down by the Panthers after being arrested. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Penrith senior players are determined not to let Taylan May's charges derail their NRL campaign, with the Panthers on track for finals.

May was arrested at a Sydney residence at 5am on Saturday and subsequently stood down by the Panthers for Sunday's Magic Round game against the Warriors.

NSW Police have charged May with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidating another person with the intention of causing them to fear physical or mental harm.

It is alleged the 22-year-old punched a woman known to him in the face and leg at a Sydney residence on April 8. He has been bailed to appear in the Penrith Local Court on May 28.

AAP understands the Panthers were made aware of the allegations levelled at May on Saturday morning.

As of Saturday afternoon, May had not been suspended by the NRL under its no-fault stand-down policy, but the integrity unit was investigating the matter alongside NSW Police.

Under the no-fault stand-down policy, players are automatically unavailable for games and training when charged with a crime that carries a penalty of at least 11 years in prison.

The NRL typically exercises discretionary powers to suspend players if they are charged with an offence against a woman.

Bookmakers have installed the Panthers as favourites for a fourth consecutive premiership, with the side sitting second on the ladder heading into round 11.

Five-eighth Jarome Luai was adamant the side would remain focused this weekend, despite May's omission.

“We’re all professionals here, we’ll deal with that tomorrow out on the field - we’ll let our footy do the talking,” he said.

New recruit Paul Alamoti will join the starting side in May's place, having filled in on three previous occasions this season.

Alamoti has previously been parachuted into the side when May missed for personal reasons last month, and again when winger Sunia Turuva needed time out to focus on contract negotiations.

“Every time he’s come in, he’s done a great job for us, so I look forward to seeing that this week as well," co-captain Isaah Yeo said.

Yeo would not speak to the allegations made against May, but said the Panthers “certainly do” need depth to hoist the trophy aloft for a fourth consecutive season.

"All I know is we've come up here and we're expected to put in a good performance," he said.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store