Archie Roberts (Australian footballer, born 2005)
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| Archie Roberts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Roberts playing for Essendon in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Archie Roberts | ||
| Born | 18 November 2005 | ||
| Original team | Sandringham Dragons (Talent League)/Hampton Rovers | ||
| Draft | No. 54, 2023 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 21, 2024, Essendon vs. Fremantle, at MCG | ||
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Essendon | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2024– | Essendon | 34 (4) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 7, 2026. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Archie Roberts (born 18 November 2005) is a professional Australian rules footballer with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Roberts was drafted by Essendon with pick 54 in the 2023 national draft from Talent League side Sandringham Dragons.[1] Growing up he supported Carlton[2] and played junior football for local club Hampton Rovers in the South Metro Junior Football League.[3] He also played school football for Haileybury College under AFL Hall of Famer and Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd.[4]
Roberts made his AFL debut for Essendon in round 21 of his first season, against Fremantle at Melbourne Cricket Ground.[5] Roberts played four senior games in his first season, along with 14 VFL matches prior to his AFL debut.[6] Roberts rounded out his debut season by signing a contract extension, which saw an extra year added to his standard two year draftee contract, tying him to the club until the end of 2026.[7]
Ahead of the 2025 season, Roberts' second in the AFL, Roberts was chosen to take on retired Essendon champion Dyson Heppell's former guernsey number 21, moving up from the 38 he wore in his debut season.[8] 2025 turned out to be Roberts' breakout season, with a highlight coming in round 5, when Roberts had 28 disposals in a 39-point victory over Melbourne, earning a Rising Star nomination for his performance.[9] Roberts finished the season as fourth favourite for the Rising Star award, and was rewarded with a further contract extension until the end of 2028, despite already being contracted for 2026.[10]
