After a strong start to his 2024 campaign, Archie Perkins is the first to admit a sense of frustration around the challenges that followed.

Transitioning into a more midfield-oriented role, the 22-year-old got off to a flyer with a 24-disposal, 12-tackle effort against the Hawks in round one which propelled a promising opening month of the season.

Following an injury delay, Perkins responded with back-to-back performances of 20-plus disposals and a goal against each of GWS and the Kangaroos to cap off a strong first half of the season.

The former pick No.9 believes he didn’t quite live up to that start over the second half of the season, where he found himself used as the substitute in back-to-back games late in the year prior to being omitted ahead of round 21.

“It’s pretty interesting, I do feel quite disappointed in my year personally,” Perkins said.

“I thought I started the year quite well but my form dipped quite a bit after the halfway point, so I was pretty frustrated but there’s not much point dwelling on it or being upset, I need to find silver linings from it and learn from going through a tough period.

“I’m definitely a big believer in periods of adversity shaping you as a player and you get the most valuable teachings from that. I’ve given myself a good blueprint for how I can play my best footy and how to get back to that, so I feel it’ll hold me in good stead.”

Perkins embraced the challenge of earning his way back into the selection mix with two strong outings at VFL level, tallying 26 and 28 disposals respectively in wins over the Bullants and SUNS.

The enforced message from both Perkins and his coaches during that period was to get back to basics, focusing on the contested work that typically produces his best performances.

Ultimately, Perkins’ response was rewarded with a recall for the Dons’ final two games of the season, allowing the midfielder a positive note to conclude 2024 on.

“For me, my game always starts in the contest and when I’m doing that well, it can flow into all the other aspects of my game,” Perkins said.

“That was probably a part that dropped away when things weren’t going well and it’s become clear moving forward that when I’m strong, aggressive and proactive around the contest, that’s when I’m at my best overall.

“I want to keep coming back to that and the coaches were pretty clear on that too.”

Perkins has maintained a positive attitude amidst the frustrations of going in-and-out of the side, reminding himself of the early season signs that set his expectations high in the first place.

Looking ahead to a fifth off-season to build his game further, Perkins wants to keep his approach simple and direct, especially as he grows with more midfield experience.

“I went into the year feeling confident I could translate that midfield move through the year in-game,” Perkins said.

“Despite not having the year pan out the way I wanted it to, I’ve just got to keep rewinding back to the way I started the year and use that as an example of the quality and consistency that I can give when I’m playing well.

“(With the pre-season ahead), you have a clean slate to get yourself content, get some confidence to attack the sessions and go back to just enjoying footy.

“Sometimes it’s easy to overlook that it’s actually just a fun game to play, especially in a high-pressure environment. You don’t want to spend the whole time stressing out and that’s something I’m looking to take into next year, I want to stay level-headed and not get too down when things aren’t going my way.

“If I’m going to be a high-level player, it’s going to be when I’m confident, free of mind and I’m just doing my thing. That’s the mentality I want to have.”