Archie Perkins

Archie Perkins (born 26 March 2002) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Essendon in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was recruited by the Essendon with the 9th draft pick in the 2020 AFL draft.^[1][2][3]

Archie Perkins
Perkins playing for Essendon in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Archie Perkins
Nickname(s)	Perko
Date of birth	(2002-03-26) 26 March 2002 (age 23)
Original team(s)	Sandringham Dragons
Draft	No. 9, 2020 national draft
Debut	3 April 2021, Essendon vs. St Kilda, at Marvel Stadium
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Essendon
Number	16
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2021–	Essendon	89 (59)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 11, 2025.
Career highlights
2021 AFL Rising Star: nominee
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Archie was born to mother Victoria and father Simon, both of New Zealand, who emigrated in their 20s.^[4] He studied at Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne. Perkins trained with well-known AFL players such as Hunter Clark and Max King as a part of the NAB AFL Academy program.^[5] He also played for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League, where he played a 6-game season in 2019, his coach at the time describing him as "a very confident kid,a pretty talented footballer and just a well-rounded person."^[6] Despite being touted as a midfielder, Perkins averaged 1.7 goals a game in the NAB League, as well as averaging 14.2 disposals.^[7][8]

AFL career

Perkins debuted in Essendon's shock win over St Kilda in the 3rd round of the 2021 AFL season.^[9][10][11] On debut, Perkins collected 14 disposals, 1 behind and 6 inside 50s.^[12] He received a Rising Star nomination after collecting 18 disposals, 4 marks and 3 goals in a dominant performance against Adelaide.^[13]

He signed a 2-year contract extension in 2022, to remain at Essendon until at least the end of 2024.^[14]

Perkins played his 50th AFL game in 2023, out of a possible 56 across his career, with only Errol Gulden the only player from the 2020 draft class to have played more games at the same point.^[15]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of 2024.^[16]

Legend

G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)							Votes
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2021	Essendon	16	21	9	14	116	122	238	58	42	0.4	0.7	5.5	5.8	11.3	2.8	2.0	2
2022	Essendon	16	18	16	13	151	68	219	68	45	0.9	0.7	8.4	3.8	12.2	3.8	2.5	0
2023	Essendon	16	23	18	13	219	132	351	95	65	0.8	0.6	9.5	5.7	15.3	4.1	2.8	0
2024	Essendon	16	18	5	7	165	111	276	56	67	0.3	0.4	9.2	6.2	15.3	3.1	3.7	3
Career			80	48	47	651	433	1084	277	219	0.6	0.6	8.1	5.4	13.6	3.5	2.7	5