How ex-skipper Heppell asked Dons Rising Star to carry on No. 21 legacy

Lachlan Geleit • April 16th, 2025 8:29 pm

Essendon youngster Archie Roberts had some big shoes to fill this season after taking over from former captain Dyson Heppell in the No. 21 guernsey.

After 14 years and 253 games in the number, Heppell had his choice of who would take over his locker, and the 19-year-old would end up his choice to carry on the legacy.

While he only played the one game alongside the former skipper, Heppell saw enough in the youngster to bestow him with the honour, and even Roberts admitted he was shocked when the call came his way this off-season.

“He actually rang me. It was day one of the pre-season and he asked me if I wanted to wear it,” Roberts told SEN Afternoons.

“I was sort of shocked and I didn't really know what to say, but obviously I knew I had to take it, I couldn’t let it go.

“To have a legend like him and such a special human ask me to wear his number was pretty cool.

“It was something I had to do and now I’ve got to try and live up to ‘Hep’ and try and run out every week with a bit of him on my shoulder.

“That's what I’d like to do with the number 21. I'm very thankful for him to give me the opportunity to wear it.”

Clearly, Heppell had an eye for what was to come, with Roberts one of Essendon’s big improvers so far in 2025.

Already matching his season tally of four games in his debut season in 2025, Roberts was named the Round 5 Rising Star for his 28-disposal, six-tackle performance in the Gather Round win over Melbourne.

While he may play a different role than Heppell did in his prime on the field, Roberts hopes to play like the retired great for the rest of his career.

“I think he just loved how I went about it,” Roberts said.

“I like to play like ‘Hep’ to be honest, I’m big on my competitiveness and will to win, and so was he.

“I'm not sure, I think he just saw a bit of him and me, I guess.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all, but he just asked me to carry it on for the rest of my career.”

Roberts will hope to keep his strong form up when the Bombers face the Eagles at Optus Stadium on Friday night.