Archie Perkins

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

Early life
Archie was born to mother Victoria and father Simon, both of New Zealand, who emigrated in their 20s. 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. 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." Despite being touted as a midfielder, Perkins averaged 1.7 goals a game in the NAB League, as well as averaging 14.2 disposals.

AFL career
Perkins debuted in 's shock win over in the 3rd round of the 2021 AFL season. On debut, Perkins collected 14 disposals, 1 behind and 6 inside 50s. He received a Rising Star nomination after collecting 18 disposals, 4 marks and 3 goals in a dominant performance against.

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

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.

Statistics

 * Statistics are correct to the end of 2023.

! colspan=3| Career ! 62 !! 43 !! 40 !! 486 !! 322 !! 808 !! 221 !! 152 !! 0.7 !! 0.6 !! 7.8 !! 5.2 !! 13.0 !! 3.6 !! 2.5 !! 2
 * 2021 || || 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 || || 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 || || 16
 * 23 || 18 || 13 || 219 || 132 || 351 || 95 || 65 || 0.8 || 0.6 || 9.5 || 5.7 || 15.3 || 4.1 || 2.8 ||
 * - class="sortbottom"
 * 2023 || || 16
 * 23 || 18 || 13 || 219 || 132 || 351 || 95 || 65 || 0.8 || 0.6 || 9.5 || 5.7 || 15.3 || 4.1 || 2.8 ||
 * - class="sortbottom"
 * }