#21 Archie Roberts - thru 2026

We’re talking a bloke that thought he could get away with substituting Gatorade for a urine test here…

15 Likes

I agree. I’m happy for him to play off the half back forever but you know the history of us trying to turn half backers into on ballers and on ballers into half backers. But come to think of it that was Dudoro so maybe things have changed :smile:. One thing I will say is could Archie be our Joel Selwood without the ducking.

1 Like

Loved one of kicks that he gave a lot more air too, many metres gained.

I knew where you were coming from. We’ve had this unending positional disruption with the team tha really only results in ongield instability. I have fond memories of Bomber Thompson or Wanganeen sweeping across the last line of defence and clearing with an attacking pass. And even more fond memories of Wellman and Hardwick combining off HB on the counter attack. Im just keen for present day Essendon to stabilise players in their roles and to build the list to plug the gaps that become evident

2 Likes

There’s just no need to play midfield or anywhere else. It should never be entertained

1 Like

Sadly think H.Langford has the Rising star wrapped up

Loving Archie’s work. Good skills , hard nut, likes a chirp. Saw him having a little tet-a-tet with 2 swans players after Merrett’s second goal. We need a few more of that type.

4 Likes

He looks like a guy that understands and enjoys his role. Let him make a home down back.

Plays with suitable mongrel. I feel like he and redman pair up nicely out their side of the ground. Reid and McGrath seem to come out the other side of the backline. Maybe that’s just my impression, but the backline movement appears to be improved a bit from last year. Redman is better than last year, just a couple of horrendous clangers here and there stuff him up, and he has better friends surrounding him now.

5 Likes

Need more of his type. Shortly after Merrett kicked one of his goals, a Sydney player was in Merrett’s face as Merrett came off. Roberts beelined for the Sydney guy and was right back at him.

This guy will make those around him stand taller. What a find. Another player that gives me hope for the future.

32 Likes

I didn’t realise Dodoro ran the selection committee. It must have been Dodorro who had Roberts playing wing in the VFL last season and did he insist Kelly and Jones play wing?

When Rutten was coach he was on the selection committee.

2 Likes

This 110%. We have been lacking players like this for years. Back when we had the 2 Johnson’s and Solomon plus a few others we were a tough team and the opposition couldn’t walk all over us. Recent years we have been a walk over for the opposition. There are alot of different things you can go over but one instance is when parker had a go at Sheil. Now you can say what you want about Sheil but if someone did that to one of my teammates I would have been straight over and at the least bump him or wrestle him to the ground. Alot of other teams in the AFL would have put Parker on his ass. I’m not talking about sniping thugs but if you know your teammates have your back you will walk taller. Archie in 10th game or so is showing more ticker than a majority of our list for the last ten years at least.

8 Likes

This kid is playing like he’s played 200 games what a farking find thank you Matty keep it coming

4 Likes

Oh the memories. We once had a backline consisting of M. Johnson, Hardwick, Solomon, Wallis, Barnard, Wellman and Fletch. What a bunch of tough units.

12 Likes

And? You think he had a bigger say where players were positioned on field than the coach?

Better than Daicos! Cop that Magpies :fu:

7 Likes

Tsatas’ kicking is better than Daicos. Not sure what the issue is.

6 Likes

WTF.

I can’t believe they put this out because all it reveals is that their measure for kicking, whatever it is, is broken.

I’ve seen enough of Dawson, daicos and Callaghan to know that they are super damaging by foot. And Archie is no slouch either

14 Likes