If Archie Roberts’ first four AFL games were any indication, Bomber fans can expect a big-game player for the future.

The 18-year-old was patient in his wait for a debut this season, starring on the wing and half back over the course of 14 VFL games in the build-up to the Bombers’ crunch round 21 fixture against Fremantle, where his name was finally called upon.

Last year’s pick No. 54 didn’t take long to endear himself to the Dons faithful, providing 18 disposals and a cool head in his first taste of AFL action as the Bombers held on for a one-point win over the Dockers at the MCG.

Roberts’ first two games in the big time were each decided by a point (with the side on each end of the results), marking something of a ‘trial by fire’ in his start to senior footy. Those experiences will be fuelling the teenager’s push into a second pre-season.

“I feel privileged to have just been given an opportunity to play,” Roberts said.

“For me, it showed that the coaches really trusted me. They put a lot of faith in me by playing me in big games and ones that mattered for our season.

“It was pretty special to play in some of those games, even though the results didn’t always go our way. To have that first game against ‘Freo’ decided by a point our way and then to lose by a point to Gold Coast the next week was a pretty crazy turn.

“All in all, it’s just a good feeling when you have that trust given to you at this level.”

Roberts didn’t look out of place in his first stanza at AFL level, averaging 21 disposals over his four games to wrap the campaign and establish himself as one of the team’s standouts from the final month.

A promising aspect of his early output has been Roberts’ desire to own a big moment. In just his second game, he opened his AFL scoring account with a clutch last quarter goal against the SUNS that shot serious adrenaline into the 36,000-strong crowd at Marvel Stadium.

Not one to shy from his own expectations, Roberts always wants to be present in the moments that matter.

“I don’t hide away from the fact that we need to win the game,” Roberts said.

“I always want to be on the field and be someone who’s involved in us winning. In those first couple of games, it gave me a lot of confidence that I could trust myself to get my hands on it late and make an impact.

“It’s definitely held me in good stead.”

In a first half of the season that held rapid development for Essendon’s youngsters in the VFL, Roberts and fellow draftee Nate Caddy quickly asserted themselves as potential inclusions from their early form.

Forming elite habits and maintaining consistency were the key focuses for Roberts as he toiled away in the pursuit of a senior opportunity late in the year.

“For me, it was all just about staying consistent,” Roberts said.

“It’s all good to play one solid game, but I wanted to produce that consistently at VFL and focus on treating my performance in the same way the AFL guys do. For me, it was about building my power running and ensuring the coaches could trust me to bound up and down the wing, stay competitive over the ball and adapt to our structure.

“Trying to stay in line with what the AFL team was doing (even when I was playing in the VFL) helped me in slotting into the team when the opportunity came, which I felt I did pretty well."

While the overall reflection from his first season is positive on an individual note, Roberts won’t be resting on his laurels heading into this off-season.

With his sights already set on 2025, Roberts wants to use this year’s experience as a base to build into an improved second season.

“It’s all gone pretty quick,” Roberts said.

“Reflecting on it, it’s been a great year where I had to really earn my spot and come into the side late to give myself a good taste of senior footy leading into year two.

“We have such a great crew of first-year players and with the new set coming next year, our group will continue to have a positive impact on the club and hopefully for me that’ll lead to a massive second season.

“The obvious goal is wanting to play in round one next year and that starts from all the practice games in the build-up. We’re going to have new players at the club next year who are just as keen to break in, so I want to keep bettering myself and see where it can lead.

“My expectations for myself have always been high. I really do want to be one of the best players on my team and I’ll never put limits on myself.”