AFL Player #21: Archie Roberts - Signs on until 2026 - 22/8

[VelvetSledge]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 29, TheUnicorn

 

[Milanista28]

Skill and fitness base boxes both ticked, his desire and work rate will likely decide how his career pans out, he's in a good position to be a solid AFL footballer I think.

 

[andleanback]

I mean it’s probably worth noting we’d worked with Massimo on the defending issues for 1.5 years and it didn’t get any better. Probably hence the 1 year deal.

1.5 years more like 1 year and a bit

 

[JT_the_Man]

1.5 years more like 1 year and a bit

Eh, I just took it from roundabout the time we drafted him. Semantics but point stands.

 

[andleanback]

Eh, I just took it from roundabout the time we drafted him. Semantics but point stands.

No really, a couple weeks after coming into the club the season is over. He only had 1 preseason with us, the only real chance you get to work on craft and develop. Almost impossible to do it mid season when he entered the club

 

[faible]

No really, a couple weeks after coming into the club the season is over. He only had 1 preseason with us, the only real chance you get to work on craft and develop. Almost impossible to do it mid season when he entered the club

'work harder defensively' isn't really a thing you need a preseason for.

 

[ant555]

No really, a couple weeks after coming into the club the season is over. He only had 1 preseason with us, the only real chance you get to work on craft and develop. Almost impossible to do it mid season when he entered the club

You can show signs of improvement in that time. It was not like he did not know what they wanted or he refused to do it. His reaction time was a bit off . He tends to watch the play a bit and then react . It did not change from what we saw at under 18 level or VFL before he was drafted . He was still doing the same late this season in the VFL. That is why he got a 1 year offer. It was not really a craft issue as such. The Hawks may be able to do something with him in a different role or are prepared to run with the defensive lapses.

 

[FlyingV]

So excited for this kid. Exactly the style of player we needed. Delighted.

 

[Don Won]

Not replacing Watson was a problem, but you're being to generous to Adrian. He ****ed up. He left us with no sustainable coverage for the loss of Hurley and Hooker for two years, not counting Hurley's 5 games in 2022. This is why Laverde and a skinny BZT had to be developed there while playing seniors, and why we've been forced to recruit McKay and were lucky to land him. And even if Reid were not injured, like BZT, it would have forced us to play him skinny and under developed. Same can be said of Cox. Baldwin was recruited as a firward initially. The only real option we had was Stewart, who kept getting injured and also was forced to reinvent himself as a tall back. How many cumulative years of how many careers did Dodoro waste by not dealing with the key talls issue earlier?

This is a bit infair to Adrian. The previous full back played till he was 40, how was he to know he’d have to replace these guys in their early 30s.

 

[andleanback]

You can show signs of improvement in that time. It was not like he did not know what they wanted or he refused to do it. His reaction time was a bit off . He tends to watch the play a bit and then react . It did not change from what we saw at under 18 level or VFL before he was drafted . He was still doing the same late this season in the VFL. That is why he got a 1 year offer. It was not really a craft issue as such. The Hawks may be able to do something with him in a different role or are prepared to run with the defensive lapses.

All I’m saying is from when he got the club in 2022 to the end of that season he would’ve hardly done any training of substance on the track, it would’ve mostly been recovery and play.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

From Essendon's FB page.

 

[Nifft]

From Essendon's FB page.

With a ponytail he'd be Redman mk2.

 

[Nicholas61]

From Essendon's FB page.

Joins Baldwin in the vintage head group.

 

[Vander18]

Joins Baldwin in the vintage head group.

Yes - looks like he might have played with Dick Reynolds!

 

[ghostdog]

From Essendon's FB page.

Dude looks like an arrogant campaigner. Approved.

 

[Pweter]

From Essendon's FB page.

That neck to head ratio

 

[RedmanWasHere]

That neck to head ratio

Gladstone Small like.

 

[TheFrenchCut]

Pretty sure that's Shoresy with more hair.

 

[Pweter]

Gladstone Small like.

I was more thinking Beaker from The Muppets, but he might've just had a really long head

 

[TheUnicorn]

What a steal

 

[fairbump_playon]

Joins Baldwin in the vintage head group.

We’re called the Bombers. Not the Guys who Flew in Bombers.

 

[Old Campaigner]

From Essendon's FB page.

Rhys Mathieson vibes

 

[ant555]

We’re called the Bombers. Not the Guys who Flew in Bombers.

Maybe we are edging towards being the Essendon Airpeople

 

[astrowizzle]

Upgrade on dambrosio

 

[Lore]

Maybe we are edging towards being the Essendon Airpeople

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Baldwin and Roberts aside, are there any future prospects with '50's or earlier headshapes?