Archer Day-Wicks talks joining Essendon, injury setbacks and the AFL star with similar traits

Archer Day-Wicks thought he’d be moving to Adelaide in 2025, before an unexpected call changed his plans. He tells CHRIS CAVANAGH how it all went down.

Essendon draftee Archer Day-Wicks already had his back-up plan.

Thinking that he had missed his AFL chance after being overlooked in this year’s national draft, the Bendigo boy had decided he would seek a move to Adelaide to show his wares to recruiters in the SANFL next season.

Then came the unexpected call that he had been selected by the Bombers at pick 6 in the rookie draft.

“It was a long wait and a bit of a rollercoaster few days, but in the end it worked out for the best,” Day-Wicks said.

“I was actually in the car on my way to play golf in Kyneton when I found out I got drafted.

“My manager and my coaches knew but they didn’t tell me, so it was a good surprise.”

Archer Day-Wicks at Bombers training. Picture: Essendon FC

Day-Wicks could prove to be a rookie draft gem, with the mid-sized forward having been highly-rated before two years interrupted by injury and illness.

He battled a bout of glandular fever last year, before suffering a hip flexor injury at training which led to another stint on the sidelines.

Selected as part of the AFL Academy squad for 2024 despite the limited bottom-age campaign, Day-Wicks then suffered a serious corky in his quad early this year

That injury took almost two months to come good, before he found form in the second half of the season.

“They were all setbacks, but in the end I prevailed and it showed my resilience,” Day-Wicks said.

“It probably affected the draft a little bit in the end, but I showed my traits in the games I did play and I did enough to get the opportunity, which is all I needed.”

Class of ‘24. pic.twitter.com/lJ8dXs2yjp

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) November 25, 2024

Day-Wicks looks up to Sydney star Isaac Heeney and is a similar type 186cm marking forward who can impact games and hit the scoreboard with limited touches.

“I think we have very similar traits athletically and with the way we go about it,” he said of the Heeney comparisons.

Day-Wicks’ mother and stepfather run the Reservoir Hotel in Bendigo and the town is toasting four Bendigo Pioneers players who were picked up by AFL clubs this year.

Day-Wick’s best mate Tobie Travaglia joined St Kilda at pick 8 in the national draft, while Jobe Shanahan (West Coast, pick 30) and James Barrat (St Kilda, pick 32) also found homes.

Day-Wicks grew up a Richmond supporter, but the pub is sure to be beaming more Bombers games going forward.

“I think I’ve turned half of the supporter base at the pub to Essendon, which is good,” he said.

Originally published as Archer Day-Wicks talks joining Essendon, injury setbacks and the AFL star with similar traits