Two players that emerged through the junior and senior Aussie Rules pathway in New South Wales have been drafted to the AFL following the 2026 Telstra AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
Caleb May was selected by the Western Bulldogs with Pick 9 in the draft, having played in the AFL Sydney Juniors and AFL Sydney Seniors competitions for Ingleburn Junior AFL club, Maroubra Saints Junior AFL club, and the South West Sydney Blues.
He then progressed to the Sydney Swans Academy before heading to South Australia to play in the SANFL.
Liam Puncher was selected by Collingwood with Pick 15 in the draft, also having played in AFL Sydney for St Ives and North Shore.
Similar to May, Puncher joined the Sydney Swans Academy before moving to South Australia and playing in the SANFL where he was drafted from.