Ben Hobbs

Ben Hobbs (born 16 September 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was drafted by Essendon with their first pick in the 2021 AFL draft, number 13 overall.^[1]

Ben Hobbs
Hobbs playing for Essendon in 2025
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Hobbs
Nickname(s)	Goblin
Date of birth	(2003-09-16) 16 September 2003 (age 21)
Original team(s)	Greater Western Victoria Rebels (NAB League)
Draft	No. 13, 2021 national draft
Debut	Round 5, 2022, Essendon vs. Fremantle, at Marvel Stadium
Height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	80 kg (176 lb)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Essendon
Number	8
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2022–	Essendon	61 (21)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 17, 2025.
Career highlights
AFL Rising Star Nomination: 2022
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Hobbs grew up in the Victorian country town of Horsham and played local football for Horsham Demons. He won a senior premiership in the Wimmera Football League at just 15 years old.^[2] He attended Ballarat Clarendon College as a boarder.^[3]

AFL career

At the 2021 AFL draft, Essendon selected Hobbs with their first pick, no. 13 overall. Hobbs made his debut for the Bombers in round 5 of the 2022 AFL season, and was later nominated for the 2022 AFL Rising Star in round 14.^[4]

Statistics

Updated to the end of 2024.^[5]

Legend

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

Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)
				G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2022	Essendon	8	17	8	12	121	124	245	60	43	0.5	0.7	7.1	7.3	14.4	3.5	2.5
2023	Essendon	8	18	6	4	195	159	354	72	73	0.3	0.2	10.8	8.8	19.7	4.0	4.1
2024	Essendon	8	12	2	2	77	73	150	25	35	0.2	0.2	6.4	6.1	12.5	2.1	2.9
Career			47	16	18	393	356	749	157	151	0.30	0.4	8.4	7.6	15.9	3.3	3.2]