Jack Darling vs Jack Gunston

[Righteo]

Two of the better secondary KPF's going around: which Jack would you take?

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-west-coast-eagles--jack-darling

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pc-hawthorn-hawks--jack-gunston

Inspired by an argument between The Cryptkeeper and Scotland in the main board's Josh Kennedy thread.

 

[Scotland]

I suppose I should probably vote Jack Darling, then.

Pros

More physical, contested player. Better contested mark, better tackler, has put together a 50 goal season as the #1 forward target, output hasn't dropped simple as a result of playing bottom 8 team instead of a top 4 one, plays in a team which teaches delivery inside 50 as a priority after learning Latin and mastering the art of preparing a souffle.

Cons

Wins less uncontested ball, kicks slightly less goals. Best output for a season is 42 goals playing as a secondary target, plays for unnecessary free kicks, makes you yell 'Darling!' while at the footy.

 

[quotemokc]

Gunston for me

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Not really and argument between me and old mate above....more of a difference of opinion.

Box on Scotland

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I suppose I should probably vote Jack Darling, then.

Pros

More physical, contested player. Better contested mark, better tackler, has put together a 50 goal season as the #1 forward target, output hasn't dropped simple as a result of playing bottom 8 team instead of a top 4 one, plays in a team which teaches delivery inside 50 as a priority after learning Latin and mastering the art of preparing a souffle.

Cons

Wins less uncontested ball, kicks slightly less goals. Best output for a season is 42 goals playing as a secondary target, plays for unnecessary free kicks, makes you yell 'Darling!' while at the footy.

I'm not sure Darling is a better contested mark.

Do you have any stats on how many each has taken?

 

[WCEbrody]

I'm not sure Darling is a better contested mark.

Do you have any stats on how many each has taken?

Over their career, averages -

Jack Darling - 1.6
Jack Gunston - 0.8

I don't think its a strength of either player though.

 

[Righteo]

Not really and argument between me and old mate above....more of a difference of opinion.

Box on Scotland

Ok, hearty discussion then.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Over their career, averages -

Jack Darling - 1.6
Jack Gunston - 0.8

I don't think its a strength of either player though.

I think it's one of Gunston's most underrated strengths, personally. For a twig, he takes some decent contested grabs.

 

[DaVillaBlues]

Gunston, comfortably..

 

[Scotland]

I think it's one of Gunston's most underrated strengths, personally. For a twig, he takes some decent contested grabs.

I don't think Gunston is a poor contested mark, I just think Darling is better. He took 36 in 24 games in his best season in that category, Gunston 22 in 23 in his. According to the club websites Darling is 191cm and 93kg, Gunston is 193 and 84. IMO Darling is stronger in the contest, hence a better contested mark.

Until 2014 Gunston (excluding his two years at Adelaide where he didn't play much) played alongside Franklin and Roughead, so you'd expect that (a) he's not going to be used as a contested target too often, and (b) when he is he's going to have a smaller opponent to contend with. The way the Hawks forward line is set up now he's effectively the 2nd tall, so you'd expect his numbers to rise - as they did in 2014.

 

[MinerBoy]

I think it's one of Gunston's most underrated strengths, personally. For a twig, he takes some decent contested grabs.

Doesn't take pack marks per se but is definitely an excellent contested mark 1v1 against his direct opponents. Has a great ability to hold his ground under the ball and protect the ball's drop zone.

 

[Righteo]

Pretty overwhelming in favour of Gunston so far, maybe it was a mistake to create this while Darling is out injured.

 

[MinerBoy]

Pretty overwhelming in favour of Gunston so far, maybe it was a mistake to create this while Darling is out injured.

It's not as if Gunston has had a blistering start to the year while he's been out.

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Jack Darling for me. Like both players though