Another two former QBE Sydney Swans Academy athletes have been selected on AFL lists after the 2026 Mid-season Rookie Draft with ruck Caleb May selected at pick 9 by the Western Bulldogs and defender Liam Puncher to Collingwood with pick 15.

Both players began their Academy journey in 2016 with May beginning in the U11s and Puncher the U13s.

A former junior at the Maroubra Saints and Ingleburn Magpies before moving onto South West Sydney, May headed to South Australia to continue his football journey in the SANFL at West Adelaide. A hulking figure at 208cm and over 100kg, May improved his running ability this year and has averaged 12 disposals, 4.1 clearances and 36.3 hitouts across the first seven games of the season. He was the SANFL's standout choice to be the No.1 ruck for a recent state game against Western Australia.

Puncher joined the QBE Sydney Swans Academy in 2016 in the U13s and played his football in Sydney at the St Ives Saints, North Shore Bombers and was in the Academy until 2022. Like May, he also headed to South Australia to pursue an opportunity interstate, initially with Sturt. With a nice frame at 195cm, Puncher settled into a strong key defensive role with Woodville-West Torrens where he was able to show his ability as both a lockdown option and through his aerial strength. He's averaged 11.7 disposals and six marks per game to start the SANFL season.

Puncher will have a few fellow QBE Sydney Swans Academy alumni with him at Collingwood with Joel Cochran (2024 National Draft) and Angus Anderson (2025 National Draft) also on the Magpies list while May will also have former QBE Swans Academy player Lachlan Carmichael (Western Bulldogs- 2025 National Draft) with him at the Dogs.

The pair now makes it a total of 50 athletes that have been part of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and drafted to AFL clubs. 

32 of those have been drafted to the Sydney Swans since 2012 with 18 players going to other clubs (8 AFL and 10 AFLW) including seven in the last 12 months.

Learn more about the QBE Sydney Swans Academy and the role of the Sydney Swans Foundation in nurturing talent and future-proofing the Sydney Swans, on and off the field, for generations to come.