Player Watch #27: Jack Darling

[Horace]

He is fully invested irrespective of our debates about his performances. A player who wanted to be wanted I reckon.

It’s a harsh game sometimes, but for WC not to get him to 300 in a season when they had nothing to celebrate must have hurt a bit.

Our own examples, this was a miss worse than us not having Stevens or Martyn go around for another season. Not sure about Stevo but Martyn was obviously hurt by it.

Indeed. I have always believed that too many clubs retire some players too soon.

Every year clubs go to the draft, make some later picks on some kids in the draft, who end up on a list for a period of time, but never make it. Obviously it is hard to predict who will and who won't make it, but forgoing a late pick to retain one of your long term greats for a further year, I think, in the overall scheme of things, is more likely to yield dividends.

In Darlings case and in the case of Stevo and Mickey, and dare I say it, Boomer and Spud, there is so much they are able to offer to a young and developing list. It also shows to the other boys on the list, if you give it your best shot and make it at the highest level, your club will look after you.

There are just two Caveats that should be placed on extending the careers of these types of servants.

Firstly, you will only be picked in the seniors on form and if that's not up to scratch, play in the Reserves and give it your all, every time you step out there.

Secondly your pay is reflective of your position as number 40 or so on the list, with performance bonuses given to reward form.

 

[The Nostradamus]

he will improve even more when we finally stop rucking him and thus saving his energy forward

 

[ferball]

Interesting because at draft age he would have been just out of school, like real, real cool.

So long as he keeps them moving and can help Larkey break loose
... we're gonna win a ball. (Inside 50.)

 

[franjon]

If the midfield didn't have periods of going to sleep and got the ball into the forward line a bit better than they do, I think we'd have a better view of what Darling was brought in for. All the talk of a new contract and West Coast deeming him finished and bla bla bla may be true, but he's clearly invested in North Melbourne and isn't finished. The business of freeing up Larkey is more to do with Larkey. He was never going to be a ball tearer, he wasn't really at West Coast, but he's doing what he was picked up for.

 

[Black Diamond]

Indeed. I have always believed that too many clubs retire some players too soon.

Every year clubs go to the draft, make some later picks on some kids in the draft, who end up on a list for a period of time, but never make it. Obviously it is hard to predict who will and who won't make it, but forgoing a late pick to retain one of your long term greats for a further year, I think, in the overall scheme of things, is more likely to yield dividends.

In Darlings case and in the case of Stevo and Mickey, and dare I say it, Boomer and Spud, there is so much they are able to offer to a young and developing list. It also shows to the other boys on the list, if you give it your best shot and make it at the highest level, your club will look after you.

There are just two Caveats that should be placed on extending the careers of these types of servants.

Firstly, you will only be picked in the seniors on form and if that's not up to scratch, play in the Reserves and give it your all, every time you step out there.

Secondly your pay is reflective of your position as number 40 or so on the list, with performance bonuses given to reward form.

My point was more about looking after your people and making a harmless emotional decision, rather than a list management point.

WC could have carried him to 300 games and the results would not have changed.

 

[zoomba23]

If the midfield didn't have periods of going to sleep and got the ball into the forward line a bit better than they do, I think we'd have a better view of what Darling was brought in for. All the talk of a new contract and West Coast deeming him finished and bla bla bla may be true, but he's clearly invested in North Melbourne and isn't finished. The business of freeing up Larkey is more to do with Larkey. He was never going to be a ball tearer, he wasn't really at West Coast, but he's doing what he was picked up for.

He's the most exemplary forward on the list. He does what forwards should do, in spite of his limitations. Leads at the ball. Competes in aerial contests (none of this half-hearted one hand up bollocks). Tries to move and create space for others. Demands others lead at him. Doesn't tear strips off teammates on a weekly basis. I still worry he's going to keel over at any moment but so far it's his workrate and knowledge of the craft that have held him in good stead.

Imagine if we had Larkey's brain in Darling's body. That would probably be the most useless key forward to ever exist

 

[franjon]

He's the most exemplary forward on the list. He does what forwards should do, in spite of his limitations. Leads at the ball. Competes in aerial contests (none of this half-hearted one hand up bollocks). Tries to move and create space for others. Demands others lead at him. Doesn't tear strips off teammates on a weekly basis. I still worry he's going to keel over at any moment but so far it's his workrate and knowledge of the craft that have held him in good stead.

Imagine if we had Larkey's brain in Darling's body. That would probably be the most useless key forward to ever exist

But a solidly built artist cum guitarist.

 

[WesternRoo]

Always amazes me that we didn't draft Darling as a kid because he was a "bit of a wild child".

I think those stories were the icing on the cake of a pretty underwhelming top age year.

I recall going to Bassendean Oval for a WAfL semi in 2010 where he was playing for West Perth. Looked a tad slow, was quite bulky and didn’t look great.

Once he got to the Eagles he was a great athlete. Quick, lean.

Anyway he is doing his job. Has been a good pickup.

 

[Arthur Cloke]

he will improve even more when we finally stop rucking him and thus saving his energy forward

Is that right?

 

[King Corey]

I think those stories were the icing on the cake of a pretty underwhelming top age year.

I recall going to Bassendean Oval for a WAfL semi in 2010 where he was playing for West Perth. Looked a tad slow, was quite bulky and didn’t look great.

Once he got to the Eagles he was a great athlete. Quick, lean.

Anyway he is doing his job. Has been a good pickup.

I thought his U18 highlights were great. Looked a really strong contested mark.

 

[andana]

Good game considering the leg scratch

 

[giantroo]

 

[kangatragic]

That goal saving tackle in the 3rd which resulted in us scoring straight after knocked the stuffing out of Carlton

 

[tricknologist]

Loved his game. Important goal in the first when Carlton were on top. Momentum swing tackle on Cerra. Held his own in the ruck when X was off the field. Credit to the club for seeing something in him so late in his career, he's been very good this year.

 

[zoomba23]

Loved his game. Important goal in the first when Carlton were on top. Momentum swing tackle on Cerra. Held his own in the ruck when X was off the field. Credit to the club for seeing something in him so late in his career, he's been very good this year.

His workrate is immense. Weagles fans must've mentioned is as a positive somewhere in here but it stands out like the proverbials in this forward line

 

[muttley45]

Pretty sure that whinger Healy didn't even think he would return to the field for a while there, came back not even stitched up, they must have super glued the "scratch" up, well done Jack.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

He was flat in that period we were getting flogged earlier in the season but he's been really valuable. Has he freed up Larkey like he was supposed to? Not a chance. It does show we need to prioritise Darling's long term replacement though.

 

[Merlin007]

I hope the club collectively make the sensible decision to give a wound like that a week off

 

[Uncle_Leo]

Just a work horse. So impressed by what he has brought to us. I can’t believe I like Jack ****ing Darling

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

The reverse Larkey.

Leads. Leads again. And leads some more for good measure. And when he’s finished, he leads again.

 

[An Ardenary Life]

he was awesome today. that tackle was brilliant.

 

[see see]

Loved his game. Important goal in the first when Carlton were on top. Momentum swing tackle on Cerra. Held his own in the ruck when X was off the field. Credit to the club for seeing something in him so late in his career, he's been very good this year.

And outmarking Silvagni while literally lying on the ground and slotting the set shot and taking the game sealing contested grab on the members' wing in the last couple of minutes. All of this after his shin was turned into hamburger mince in the first 30 seconds of the game.

Just a work horse. So impressed by what he has brought to us. I can’t believe I like Jack ****ing Darling

+1. Shocked to be sitting here, as they say.

Wasn't a fan when we traded for him. Happy to admit I got that one wr... wr... wr... wrong.

 

[Val Keating]

That tackle was a big moment

 

[ExorcismOfArdenStreet]

He was flat in that period we were getting flogged earlier in the season but he's been really valuable. Has he freed up Larkey like he was supposed to? Not a chance. It does show we need to prioritise Darling's long term replacement though.

Has he freed up zurhaar and curtis though? I Think they're benefitting from him being in there but could be way off but happy with the role he's playing for the team.

 

[tazaa]

I rode that run down tackle on Cerra like Ron Jeremy
Sapped all momentum Carlton had and set up Bobbys goal later on.

I actually thought when he went into the middle it got us going a bit with a point of difference having him in there.
He was dead and gone a few weeks ago. The break has done him a world of good.