Player Watch #27: Jack Darling

[The Butcher]

Made a telling contribution in the last. Got out wrestled by Cripps in the ruck, but broke even with the Sheez'esque goal line save leading to the man himselfs goal. Ave effort and intensity over the 4 quaters > better than most. If he takes 2nd ruck centre square attendances when Sherry is back.. it better be coz they're confident they'll win enough to get it down to Trembles.

 

[Disco Dew]

I still can’t believe he’s ours.

 

[big_e]

I still can’t believe he’s ours.

Yeah, I'm happy to take the L on this one.

I thought his recruitment was a mistake but he's been a very, very good addition.

 

[Chadwiko]

Silly that he was dropped last week.

 

[tazaa]

His fitness is something.

Was massive in the last and having to pinch hit in the ruck.
We dont win without him.

 

[muttley45]

I am almost certain, that if he just grabbed Cripps and threw him to the ground in Ruck contest, he would be penalised with free kick against, but it seems to be ok for oppo to do it to us, unpenalised

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

I still don’t get his omission last week.

 

[Elite Master]

His fitness is something.

Was massive in the last and having to pinch hit in the ruck.
We dont win without him.

His smarts with and without the ball, plus the old man strength in contests and in the ruck, were massive.

 

[jay317]

Like Parker in defence, he's just crucial to our structure. Always provides a contest. Isn't a statue when the ball is on the deck. Always provides an option down the line. Serviceable in a few ball ups.

 

[Black Diamond]

He was huge in the passage which lead to Sheezel's goal, and right through the last three minutes.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

Silly that he was dropped last week.

The rest playing in the VFL and kicking a few (3) would have freshened him up. He was really poo against the Weagles the week before. Excellent response

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Incredible in the last quarter. It was a bit noticeable at the ground but watching the replay without having multiple panic attacks it was him and Wardlaw who just continually went from contest to contest battling on

Can’t believe how valuable he has been, thought he was completely shot two years ago

 

[itchyscratch]

JD was so smart in that last quarter. Looked exhausted at the end.

His goofy grin during the team song cracks me up. Still doesn’t know the words, but joins in at the “Soooooooooo ….”.

 

[JUST NORTH]

any guy who gives

JD was so smart in that last quarter. Looked exhausted at the end.

His goofy grin during the team song cracks me up. Still doesn’t know the words, but joins in at the “Soooooooooo ….”.

any guy who gives his all in the blue and white jumper as this bloke does can only be appreciated,love him to bits,wish we had him in his prime.

 

[Rod Stroker]

The rest playing in the VFL and kicking a few (3) would have freshened him up. He was really poo against the Weagles the week before. Excellent response

why would it have "freshened him up"? he still played a full game of football against professional men. It wasn't as if he was rested with a week off from football.

 

[Rod Stroker]

I still don't think this bloke gets enough love. He's been huge for us. Would not have won yesterday without him. He was important in the ruck, up forward and down back in the final minutes.

Yesterday also showed that both he and Bath can play in the same team together.

 

[Shazeezal]

why would it have "freshened him up"? he still played a full game of football against professional men. It wasn't as if he was rested with a week off from football.

The speed and physical demands of the VFL is definitely lower.
And it may not have been just a coincidence that Clarko sent him back to the ressies after the long flight to/from WA.
Wouldn't be surprised if he was given instructions to play a little within himself, if not given some limits on playing time. Didn't see the game, but notice that he only had 1 ruck tap, suggesting he barely played on-ball. That alone might have left him fresher after the game.

Whatever the case, he was back ready to run his guts out against Carlton, which he duly did. Got to admire the guy.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

I would spell him for the Brisbane game over in ADL and have him fresh for the Tigers game, and then travel to Canberra (Giants) the week after.

Not entirely sure who is bought in to replace him, but do we give Whitlock/Dawson a game to see what they can do? X will be back for the Giants game, and Darling can do his thing up forward with no expectations to chop out in the ruck.

 

[Dinkers]

I like his reduced game time. He played on 50 odd % against the Blews. Which is a perfect way to utilise the big lug.

 

[innercircle]

Watched the AFLs last 2 min clip. I counted 7 involvements for Darling in that time.
He refused to lose.
More love required here.

 

[giantroo]

ROO EYES CONTRACT TRIGGER
NORTH Melbourne veteran Jack Darling

27

Jack Darling

Age

33

Ht

191cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.4

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

14.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

4.0

5star

G

1.4

5star

is on track to reach a trigger for a third season at Arden Street after his important role in the Roos' come-from-behind win over Carlton last week.

Darling signed a two year-deal when he joined the Roos from West Coast at the end of 2024 which includes a games-based trigger for him to play on for a third year in 2027.

He has played three out of the Kangaroos' four games so far this season and is on the way to reaching the clause, which would take him to within striking distance of the 350-game milestone.

Darling was excellent late in North's stirring win over Carlton on Good Friday, helping cover the loss of suspended ruckman Tristan Xerri

38

Tristan Xerri

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

5.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

D

5.5

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

2star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

D

5.5

2star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.5

3star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.5

5star

with some key plays as the Roos overran the Blues.

Darling turns 34 in June but has always maintained a strong fitness regime throughout his career, with his work ethic and standards also part of his appeal to the young Roos squad when he left the Eagles to join North. He kicked 24 goals from 22 games last year. – Callum Twomey

 

[Hatchy1992]

Him and Parks were born Shinboners. He has thst never say die attitude thst inspires the youngsters.

Deserves that extra year and more kudos than he gets from North fans.

 

[muttley45]

It's not about the money, easy decision to give him another year, even if his form starts to drop off sometime next year, would still be a great mentor in the VFL team for the youngsters coming through like Whitlock

 

[showusyacunningt]

So strong in a contest, dude just plants himself

 

[jay317]

Was dead and buried at West Coast. Quite impressive what he's done since he got here.