THE AFL Mid-Season Draft is typically for the talls, and Subiaco recruit Archer May is one garnering genuine interest. A graduate of the Sandringham Dragons program, May made the move West via Richmond’s VFL side after the Tigers drafted a bunch of key forwards who would take precedent.

His haul of 12 goals in six League games this season, including a bag of four most recently, earned him selection in the WAFL representative side. May’s pair of majors helped the Black Swans break a six-year drought to reclaim the Haydn Bunton Jr trophy at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, defeating SA by 30 points.

At 198cm, May is lauded for his clean set of hands and willingness to produce repeat efforts. The likes of Essendon and Collingwood are reportedly in the market for a tall forward in the mould of May, so we put his exploits in the State Game under our Player Focus microscope to see what the fuss is about.

SubiacoKey Forward

Archer May

Height: 198cm

Weight: -

DOB: 27-08-2004

SEASON AVERAGES:

2025 WAFL League – 6 games
13.8 disposals, 6.2 marks, 2.8 tackles, 2.0 goals

STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Mobility
+ Repeat efforts
+ Set shot conversion

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 State Game
SANFL 8.8 (56) def. by WAFL 13.8 (86)

#9 Archer May (Subiaco/WAFL)
Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 5 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

FIRST HALF:

May built up to the level of the game in the first half, with the SANFL having much of the running early on. Jack Heard was often the defender to keep him company as he looked to get on the move and search for opportunities amid limited supply.

A chop-out role in the ruck also worked to bring May into the contest, though he found it difficult against the physicality of Connor Ballenden and Jordan Lukac. That didn’t stop May from doing his best to compete and follow up or apply pressure.

May’s speed off the mark allowed him to become an option on short leads, though he wasn’t utilised all that often. Still, he provided a contest and was able to bring the ball to ground even when he was out of position or faced with poor delivery.

SECOND HALF:

May’s best quarter coincided with the WAFL’s game-breaking run of seven consecutive goals. The Sandgropers kicked four of them in the third term, with May claiming two on the end of set shot conversions. In both instances, he fought hard to earn free kicks at forward 50 stoppages.

He showed great improvement in holding position against Lukac, who was keen to engage. May first drew a high free kick as he looked to fight out of a tackle, then laid one of his own to catch Lukac holding the ball. Both efforts were indicative of his competitiveness and were duly rewarded.

May had a few chances to fly at the ball and mark, but either ran under it when presenting at the kicker or couldn’t get both hands on it. Both of his grabs for the match were uncontested, with his timing on the lead and judgement of distance to the contest taking away some opportunities.

The willingness to win front position and fight to get a hand in aerial duels were ticks for May, who also displayed clean handling in open play. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see that in a marking capacity in this match, but it is regarded as a clear strength of the spearhead forward. What we did see was his desire and accurate shooting on goal, which allowed him to make his moments count.