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NZ Warriors in-stadium commentaryDraft watch: The mid-season prospect with a special AFL connection
Louis van Dam • May 25th, 2025 12:45 pm
Archer May has become an interesting prospect ahead of the upcoming mid-season rookie draft due to his recent form and advantageous relationship with an AFL great.
Being listed at 198cm, May is a well-built key forward playing for the Subiaco Football Club after a stint with Richmond's VFL team last year.
The legendary connection May holds is with Hawthorn legend, Dermott Brereton, whose partner is Archer’s mother, allowing May to take in some invaluable advice and tips throughout his fledgling career.
“He’s been great in my journey, obviously he’s been super invested in my career, hence why he flew to the other side of the country to watch me play, along with my mum,” May said on SEN's Sportsday WA.
“It's great to have someone like him as a mentor and you know I’ve been trying to pick his brain for the past few years now and we’ve done a bit of training together in the off-season.
“As I said I’m just super fortunate to have someone like him close to home and invested in my career.”
May says Derm’s tips include: “Just staying really light on my feet and always keeping my defender guessing.”
He worked hard on his fitness and is now reaping the benefits.
“A few years ago, I was a bit more solidly built, still had a bit of puppy fat on me and I thought I was quite easy to defend, so that’s something I’ve really worked on," May added.
"He put me onto a running coach who I’m super fortunate to have worked with over the summer.
“We did a heap of work together and I thought that’s one area of my game I’ve really improved on, being able to work within that sort of phone box and my agility and speed off the mark have really improved as a result of that.”
May parted ways with the Tigers last year after they picked up the likes of Harry Armstrong, Jonty Faull and Thomas Sims in the draft, assuming his opportunities would decrease.
“Being a VFL listed player, you sort of get second fiddle in terms of selection and game time and all those things,” he continued.
“I didn’t feel it was right to go to a different VFL club, I feel I’m a pretty loyal person and you know, Richmond had put so much time and effort into me and to do that, it just didn’t feel right."
He has hit the ground running with Subiaco and is grateful for the opportunities that the Lions have afforded him.
“The main goal was to get the most out of myself as a footballer and that ended up being at Subiaco where I got the opportunity to move out of home and get out of my comfort zone, play on bigger ovals against mature age defenders," he added.
“I haven’t looked back, and it’s been a great opportunity and I’ve taken it with both hands, I’ve loved it.
“I couldn’t say a bad word about them (Subiaco) to be honest, they’ve been absolutely outstanding for my development, not only as a person but as a footballer. They’ve been great welcoming me in and making me feel at home, yeah it’s been a great move and yeah the WAFL’s a great competition, it’s a great standard of footy as well.”
So far, the young talent has already drawn the interest of several AFL clubs after playing six games in the WAFL, averaging 13.8 disposals, 6.2 marks and two goals a game.
“It’s obviously pretty exciting getting a bit of interest from AFL clubs, you know it’s rewarding to know that I’m on the right track and yeah playing consistent footy,” says May.
“It would be a dream come true to be given an opportunity by an AFL club, but yeah I’d definitely miss my time (at Subiaco) and look back, but in saying that if it doesn’t happen I’d put my head down and keep working hard towards something here at Subiaco.”
This year’s AFL mid-season draft takes place on Wednesday, May 28.
