#16 “OMG it’s Archie” Perkins (Part 1)

I think the opposite don’t reward the poor effort discipline it now so he can have a shot at good career with us

Yep. To the end of 2023 he was tracking really nicely as a creative half-forward flanker who was delivering the crucial ball into the F50 while chipping in for goals. Blitz says we don’t have good kicks, but Perkins was one. Across the two years he averaged around 08-0.9 goals a game, and he upped his disposals from 12 to around 15.5. Definitely issues around pressure/defensive side, but his offensive game was giving us plenty.

We then move him into the midfield, where we’re still playing him. In 2024 his disposals didn’t go up, but the quality of them went way down and his goals per game went way down. Still has defensive issues.

2025 has been a mixed bag of 2 games, I think it is way too early to say where/how he’s going yet. But I definitely think he struggles in the midfield, and we lose that good kicking he has.

I think if we moved him back to the HFF, he would be a strong contributor for us.

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I’m being pedantic but I’ve always wondered why people call him a good kick. I think he’s honest at best, technically.

He can tend to look a great kick because he takes marks and or shakes tackles which break the game open and give him an easy kick to someone in a paddock. But I don’t think he’s a precise kick, in fact he’s fairly loose to my eye, which is why the calls to play him at HBF are misguided IMO.

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A HBF’er without any defensive inclination!

We had already got Shiel in that role, so surely we don’t need a second in Perkins.

Huh? I wrote HFF.

I was agreeing with your comment that playing Perkins at half back was mis-guided.

I actually think he is a good kick. That’s the one thing I think he has going for him.

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Okaaaay. Except I didn’t write that either. I didn’t mention the backline at all! :joy_cat:

Did you mean to respond to a different post?

Yep good kick with time and space he has vision as well can pick out a player free where you don’t immediately see it. I;ve always wanted him on a wing. marking through middle of the ground and delivering inside 50.

Because he can see the best option to kick to in the F50 and has the quality to deliver it precisely. I’d rate him as a high quality kick.

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Agreed. He’s one of the few we have with the vision and skill that can bite off the difficult kick into the corridor and more often than not kicks to the advantage inside 50.

I take a different view on his midfield time. I actually think his best games have been in the midfield. The midfield brings him into the game - allows him to follow the ball and get some confidence. I’d start him in the midfield most weeks then move him forward.

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He’s not a great kick, he’s not a bad one, does have a bit of penetration. As far as our team goes he is one of the better ones, which isn’t saying much

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Perkins is one of the best kicks in our team quite easily. It is penetrating, low and creative. When he’s feeling his game well, he lets them rip.

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His kicking efficiency is poor compared to rest of the side, but he’s taking more risky kicks inside 50 than Mckay chipping it sideways in defence.

Agree with you here Ivan

Except I reckon melky is a more valuable player. Always gives his all and plays a selfless game. Never seen that from Perkins.

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Doubt it.

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63% is fine for his role.

How bad is the guy at 49%. Wouldn’t get a game in most team. Seriously useless stat without context.

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And blitz was never happy with melksham, bit like Perkins really.
But I think, hope, believe Archie will be the better player

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Melksham has had a better career at Melbourne than at Essendon.