The senior Dons that Essendon draftee is learning the most from in his first pre-season

Essendon draftee Archer Day-Wicks is already learning plenty at the Hangar in his first couple of weeks as an AFL player.

The Bendigo Pioneers product joined the Dons via pick No. 6 in the 2024 Rookie Draft and has since moved in with key defender Jayden Laverde.

While he’s clearly learning a lot from Laverde both on and off the field, Day-Wicks says he’s also been helped mightily by Dylan Shiel who has given him an insight on the technical side of his game, with his skills and learning the club’s game plan.

Day-Wicks has also been impressed by the wide range of leadership at the club outside of the official leaders and senior players.

“Obviously Jayden has been a great help for me,” Day-Wicks told SEN’s Saturdays in Bendigo.

“But apart from him, I’d say Dylan Shiel has been fantastic on the technical side of things specifically.

“That’s with things like honing in on my skills and learning the game plan and stuff like that.

“But everyone is a leader at the club, it’s not like Zach (Merrett) and Andy (McGrath) as captain and vice-captain are the only people that lead.

“We’re a collective group and everyone seems to lift each other up when they’re down.”

Drafted as a medium-sized forward with impressive athletic traits and a slick left foot, Day-Wicks has been placed with the forward group to start his time at the Dons although he’s open to playing wherever the coaching staff need at whatever level they see fit.

“I think the most important thing coming in as a draftee is to be like a sponge and soak everything up,” Day-Wicks said.

“You want to come in and hit the ground running after Christmas, but I have spoken to the coaching staff and I’m in the forward group.

“At this stage, I think I’m going to play a high forward role like I have in the past which is good because I’m comfortable with that.

“But I’m happy to play anywhere and they said I might be thrown around a bit throughout the year too, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Essendon begin their 2025 campaign with an Opening Round clash against Gold Coast on Saturday, March 8.

Photo: @essendonfc Twitter