AFL Player 21: Archie “The Enforcer” Roberts - Rising Star & Most Improved at the BnF

[VelvetSledge]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2026
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 29, TheUnicorn

 

[nipst@r]

Looked good today. 1st vfl game watched this year and he looks the most promising.

Has a crack and is composed, I'd like to see him given games this year. Could be a good sub until he builds.

 

[andleanback]

If Setters isn’t ready to come in for Duz, it has to be Archie. Has form over the pre-season and arguably BOG (for us) in both VFL games.

Depends who they’re going to move into the mid rotation. If setters isn’t back it’s likely Caldwell/ Hobbs get those midfield minutes. So it’ll be another forward half player to come in

 

[ant555]

His form has been wing so it is most likely there. Has been very good and I know his under 18 footy was in defense but one of the knocks on him was needing to defend a bit better as he was more of an interceptor. Not sure he has nailed the defensive side yet but I hope he can is if he does he is the bloke that upgrades Kelly.

 

[Vander18]

Reminds me a bit of Kade Simpson

6

Kade Simpson

Age

41

Ht

183cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

14.0

5star

HB

7.3

5star

M

5.7

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

409.0

5star

D

16.3

4star

K

11.9

5star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

0.8

1star

MG

258.6

4star

D

2.0

1star

K

1.2

1star

HB

0.8

1star

M

0.8

1star

T

1.6

4star

.

Balanced and neat - his thought processes and movements are all quick so leg speed is no issue.

We could also use a left footer or two.

 

[Zach Package]

Aesthetically pleasing, pure kicking action, reminds me of Josh Kelly.

I don’t see an immediate role for him in the seniors but I daresay he’s very close to taking everything he can from the reserves already.

 

[Vander18]

Aesthetically pleasing, pure kicking action, reminds me of Josh Kelly.

I don’t see an immediate role for him in the seniors but I daresay he’s very close to taking everything he can from the reserves already.

I’d be happy enough to look at him forward as an upgrade on Menzie or Guelfi.

Depends on what the long term plan for him is and where he can best develop towards that plan I guess.

 

[BrunoV]

Having watched most of the last 2 games, I am very impressed with this guy.

He seems to do the right thing / make the right decision. It's more than decision making because he executes. He hits targets by foot, in an aerial contest he'll negate an opponent (when outgunned) or stick a tackle / win a hard ball when he's maybe a bit outgunned. He looks a very complete player.

He has different athletic attributes, and is probably 'just' a wingman at this stage, but he is a lot like Trent Rivers

24

Trent Rivers

Age

24

Ht

188cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.7

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

2.0

4star

MG

171.3

3star

D

10.7

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

2.0

3star

MG

171.3

3star

D

10.7

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.7

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

171.3

3star

in the way that he's just good at everything he does. Rivers has played like a veteran from day 1. That's very much what Roberts looks like.

 

[bennyg12]

Tracking well

 

[ant555]

Having watched most of the last 2 games, I am very impressed with this guy.

He seems to do the right thing / make the right decision. It's more than decision making because he executes. He hits targets by foot, in an aerial contest he'll negate an opponent (when outgunned) or stick a tackle / win a hard ball when he's maybe a bit outgunned. He looks a very complete player.

He has different athletic attributes, and is probably 'just' a wingman at this stage, but he is a lot like Trent Rivers in the way that he's just good at everything he does. Rivers has played like a veteran from day 1. That's very much what Roberts looks like.

Agree .


Guess he has some edge
Sorry just being a smart ass

 

[TheUnicorn]

My boy!

 

[TheFrenchCut]

Having watched most of the last 2 games, I am very impressed with this guy.

He seems to do the right thing / make the right decision. It's more than decision making because he executes. He hits targets by foot, in an aerial contest he'll negate an opponent (when outgunned) or stick a tackle / win a hard ball when he's maybe a bit outgunned. He looks a very complete player.

He has different athletic attributes, and is probably 'just' a wingman at this stage, but he is a lot like Trent Rivers in the way that he's just good at everything he does. Rivers has played like a veteran from day 1. That's very much what Roberts looks like.

That's great.

I look forward to seeing him debut in Round 24 (as sub).

 

[Vander18]

Hope they debut him.

Let’s not play him into and then out of form without rewarding him.

 

[jannissary]

playing wing now, can he develop into another role? or would it be better for him to hone his craft there instead of being another back/forward flanker.

 

[Ati Tude]

playing wing now, can he develop into another role? or would it be better for him to hone his craft there instead of being another back/forward flanker.

I'm hoping he will be a HBF as that is a need (to help ensure Martin plays wing/front half and/or to replace Hepp whether during or end of year).

 

[ghostdog]

Can he play Kelly's wing role with a view to later trading places with Martin?

 

[Cup_o_Jobe]

Hoping he gets a look in the seniors next week. Strikes me as the kind of player that is going to develop that much quicker competing at the top level, and he gives us a bit of a different look in the 23.

 

[dank420_]

Agree .


Guess he has some edge
Sorry just being a smart ass

You are one crazy bastard Ant

 

[naraku]

WCE, GWS and norf are our next games. I think he has warranted some game time against those 3.

Let's have a look at him!

 

[Zach Package]

Can he play Kelly's wing role with a view to later trading places with Martin?

Might be unpopular but that would be massively throwing him to the wolves. Kelly’s role is a shitload of unrewarded defensive running and he’s been handing over the dangerous small forwards to McGrath in transition.

He would obviously be better with the ball but Kelly is not in the side for what he does with the ball.

I think he’d come into the fold if Redman has another brain fade or if they decide to manage Heppell for a week. Or maybe as a sub.

 

[Tazdog]

Heppell will be managed as sub against west coast, I reckon hell come in for his position. They'll have to manage hepp once or twice in the season and the most obvious time for a break is a third of the way into the season, going interstate against last years spooners with the next break being the bye. Perfect opportunity to get this kid into the side.

 

[faible]

I'd leave Heppell and Goldy at home for the Perth trip, let them have a nice long break.

Go Draper and/or Bryan in the ruck, Wright covering any extra if needed.

Give Roberts a run off a HBF.

 

[ant555]

I'd leave Heppell and Goldy at home for the Perth trip, let them have a nice long break.

Go Draper and/or Bryan in the ruck, Wright covering any extra if needed.

Give Roberts a run off a HBF.

Not against Roberts getting a go but we need to go hard this week and play the side that has been getting the job done. **** the rest shit. They have just had a free weekend. On top of that Roberts has been playing wing 90% half forward 10%. Doubt they are slotting him in at half back.

 

[quotemokc]

Interstate trips are not ideal for debuts

 

[Yoda_]

Surely someone is having a laugh about his height? 184cm looks generous on TV

 

[Vander18]

Not against Roberts getting a go but we need to go hard this week and play the side that has been getting the job done. * the rest s**t. They have just had a free weekend. On top of that Roberts has been playing wing 90% half forward 10%. Doubt they are slotting him in at half back.

I for one would have zero aversion to sending Hobbs back to the Magoos to play inside mid, leaving Guelfi in VFL for now and taking a look at this guy as a half-forward.