Five-time AFL premiership star Dermott Brereton has backed 20-year-old key forward Archer May to become a “brute” of the modern game, comparing his potential to that of Geelong icon Tom Hawkins.
May, who was recruited by Essendon with Pick 6 in the AFL mid-season draft, is the son of Brereton’s long-time partner Julie.
While the Bombers got in early, Brereton admitted he thought Collingwood would snap him up, and even May's family were bracing for black and white.
“We were rapt. Absolutely delighted,” Brereton told foxfooty.com.au. “We actually first thought Collingwood were going to take him… they were the only team who interviewed him twice.”
'He's going to be a brute'
A Brighton Grammar product, May once tipped the scales at 100 kilograms at just 17 years of age.
A stint in rowing and pure raw size saw him dominate at school level, but a transition to the forward line and serious fitness work under AFL conditioning guru Bohdan Babijczuk has reshaped him into a powerful, mobile forward.
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“He is a massive kid; he’s huge through the quads and thighs, really powerful,” Brereton said. “He’ll develop into something like Tom Hawkins, but Archie’s actually got a really good tank… he’ll be running along with the midfielders.”
Brereton’s praise wasn’t limited to physical traits.
Calling May “the most polite young man” he’s seen in footy, he highlighted the youngster’s elite work ethic and commitment.
“He’s going to be a brute; an absolute brute,” Brereton declared. “And believe it or not, at 20, we’re still noticing he’s growing.”