Dermott Brereton: AFL Legend, Family, Health & Draft News

If you’ve followed the AFL long enough, Dermott Brereton is one of those names that feels like it belongs to the sport itself. But beyond the five premierships and booming commentary voice lies a private life reshaped by family, health battles, and a next-generation talent entering the stage through a deeply personal connection.

Born: 19 August 1964 ·
AFL Clubs: Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Collingwood ·
Premierships: 5 (1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991) ·
All-Australian: 1991 ·
TV Commentary Career: 1992–2025 ·
Charity: Lifechanger

Here is a summary of key biographical details about Dermott Brereton.

Who is Dermott Brereton’s partner?

Current relationship status

Dermott Brereton is in a long-term relationship with a woman named Julie, as reported by multiple outlets covering his step-son’s AFL draft. Sporting News Australia identified Julie as Brereton’s long-time partner and the mother of Archer May (Sporting News Australia (AFL coverage)). Yahoo News Australia similarly described May as the son of Brereton’s long-time partner (Yahoo News Australia (sports reporting)). The couple are not married, and Brereton has largely kept Julie out of the public spotlight beyond these draft-related references.

Partner’s background

Little is publicly known about Julie’s professional background or her relationship history with Brereton. What is clear from coverage is that she and Brereton have been together long enough for him to take an active parental role in her son Archer May’s AFL career. May told Sport Nation NZ that Brereton has flown across the country to watch him play and has been heavily invested in his development (Sport Nation NZ (AFL draft coverage)).

Why this matters: In an era where AFL families are often public-facing, Brereton’s restraint signals a protective approach to his partner, avoiding the media scrutiny that has followed his own career for over three decades.

What are the health issues with Dermott Brereton?

Skin cancer ordeal

Brereton has been open about his battle with skin cancer, describing it as a direct consequence of his playing days in the Australian sun without adequate protection. In an interview with The West Australian, he revealed he had two melanomas removed — one from his thigh and one from his chest — and also had a sun spot cancer removed from his eye. The treatment for the eye involved chemotherapy drops, which Brereton described as “too horrible” to continue. He framed his disclosure as a warning for others to get regularly checked.

• Two melanomas removed (thigh and chest) — confirmed by Brereton himself
• Sun spot cancer removed from eye — reported by The West Australian
• Melanoma Research Victoria republished his story to promote awareness (Melanoma Research Victoria (cancer research body))

Recovery and advocacy

Since his treatment, Brereton has used his platform to encourage sun safety, particularly among younger athletes and fans. He has promoted the use of sunscreen and regular skin checks, drawing on his own experience as a cautionary tale. His charity Lifechanger, which he supports alongside his public appearances, has also been a vehicle for this advocacy work.

The trade-off: Brereton’s willingness to speak publicly about his ordeal may save lives, but it also places him in a vulnerable position professionally — his tough-on-field persona now sits alongside a story of physical fragility.

Who was Dermott Brereton’s first wife?

Marriage history

Brereton was previously married to a woman named Michelle. The marriage produced at least one child — a daughter — before it ended. Specific details about the timeline of the marriage and its breakdown are not widely documented in public sources, as Brereton has kept this chapter of his life private. No definitive date of divorce or separation has been reported in mainstream outlets.

Children from first marriage

Brereton has a daughter from his marriage to Michelle. Her name and age have not been publicly disclosed, consistent with Brereton’s general approach to protecting his children from media scrutiny. She is not known to have pursued a public-facing career in sport or media, unlike her father.

The pattern: Brereton’s two family chapters — first marriage to Michelle, then long-term partnership with Julie — reflect a man who maintains firm boundaries between his public persona and his private life. The lack of detail on his first marriage isn’t an oversight; it’s a choice.

Is Dermott Brereton related to Archer May?

Family connection explained

Archer May is Dermott Brereton’s step-son. May is the biological son of Brereton’s current partner Julie, meaning Brereton is not biologically related to him. The relationship is one of guardian and mentor rather than genetic lineage. Multiple outlets, including The Age and Yahoo News Australia, have described May specifically as the son of Brereton’s long-time partner, and Brereton as his step-father (The Age (Melbourne-based newspaper)).

• Archer May is a 198cm key forward
• Previously played for Subiaco in the WAFL and had a stint with Richmond’s VFL team
• Selected by Essendon with its first pick in the 2025 AFL mid-season rookie draft

May himself has acknowledged Brereton’s role in his development, telling Sport Nation NZ that the five-time premiership winner has been “heavily invested” and that he has been “trying to pick his brain for the past few years.” Sporting News Australia reported that Brereton compared May’s potential to Geelong icon Tom Hawkins.

The connection between Brereton and May is a testament to the influence of family beyond bloodlines.

Does Dermott Brereton have a wife?

Current marital status

As of 2025, Dermott Brereton is not married. He is in a long-term relationship with his partner Julie, but no marriage ceremony has been publicly reported. His only known marriage was to Michelle, which ended some time in the past. Brereton has not remarried since that divorce.

“I’m lucky I got checked when I did. It could have been a very different story.”

Dermott Brereton, speaking on his skin cancer ordeal to The West Australian

“He’s flown across the country to watch me play. He’s been heavily invested in my career.”

Archer May, on Dermott Brereton’s support, to Sport Nation NZ

Timeline

• 1964 — Born in Australia (AFL official site)
• 1982 — AFL debut with Hawthorn (AFL official site)
• 1983–1991 — Won 5 AFL premierships with Hawthorn (AFL official site)
• 1992 — Began TV commentary career (news.com.au (Australian news site))
• 2025 — Announced end of TV commentary career; Archer May selected by Essendon in MSD (The Age)

Clarity section

Dermott Brereton’s story, from his playing days to his family life, is covered in an article on his AFL career and family life.

Frequently asked questions

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For AFL fans watching the 2025 season, the Brereton-May connection offers a rare story of legacy through guardianship rather than blood — and a reminder that the sport’s most enduring figures often shape the next generation off the field as much as on it.