 The AFL Players Association awarded him the Robert Rose Award for Most Courageous Player six times in nine years between 1998 and 2006, the most of any player in the award's history.In recognition as one of the best players in the AFL, Archer achieved All-Australian selection three times and also represented Victoria in State of Origin.Archer is one of the North Melbourne Football Club's greatest players, a dual-premiership and Norm Smith Medallist, he holds the third most games record for North Melbourne, is a member of the North Melbourne Team of the Century and is recognised with the title the "Shinboner of the Century" as the North Melbourne player who most embodies the Shinboner spirit.