Jack Darling

[The Passenger]

Was a tackling machine when he started but has dropped off a little.

This is far more concerning to me then his scoring output. He's actually on track for a 50-goal season depending on injuries and how many finals we play.

But his tackling and generally harassment of opposition backs is down significantly. I know that shouldn't strictly be a quality needed in a key position forward but in this day and age it's a massive bonus, and don't forget the boost it gives the whole team when they see your key forward chase down an opposition defender. If Darling was to kick 50 goals this season, I'd probably be happier with 40 if it means a return to his days of 4 tackles a game and the relentless chasing we used to see, which IMO contributed probably a goal a game. He's currently at 2.5 tackles a game, and TBH his chasing is not far from non-existent these days. Ideally we'd have 50 goals a season and 4 tackles a game. There's also the potential that after six seasons in the AFL his body just doesn't have it in him any more to tackle and chase, and a supporter we really wouldn't know whether or not this is the case.

I guess the frustration from supporters is that whilst Darling is still a good player, he's about as good as player now as he was in his first year. Probably from day one he was in the top 8-12 players in the club, and he's still probably in that same bracket.

 

[Damon_3388]

I guess the frustration from supporters is that whilst Darling is still a good player, he's about as good as player now as he was in his first year. Probably from day one he was in the top 8-12 players in the club, and he's still probably in that same bracket.

Could it be that people overrated his potential and scope for improvement?

Darling's mature body helped him produce regularly at AFL level sooner than most young guys do, but it probably also meant he was closer to his ceiling than a lot of other young guys as well. That's not a knock on him, just means that those expecting his output to continue to grow and grow without his role in the team changing might end up disappointed.

 

[avishka5]

This is far more concerning to me then his scoring output. He's actually on track for a 50-goal season depending on injuries and how many finals we play.

But his tackling and generally harassment of opposition backs is down significantly. I know that shouldn't strictly be a quality needed in a key position forward but in this day and age it's a massive bonus, and don't forget the boost it gives the whole team when they see your key forward chase down an opposition defender. If Darling was to kick 50 goals this season, I'd probably be happier with 40 if it means a return to his days of 4 tackles a game and the relentless chasing we used to see, which IMO contributed probably a goal a game. He's currently at 2.5 tackles a game, and TBH his chasing is not far from non-existent these days. Ideally we'd have 50 goals a season and 4 tackles a game. There's also the potential that after six seasons in the AFL his body just doesn't have it in him any more to tackle and chase, and a supporter we really wouldn't know whether or not this is the case.

I guess the frustration from supporters is that whilst Darling is still a good player, he's about as good as player now as he was in his first year. Probably from day one he was in the top 8-12 players in the club, and he's still probably in that same bracket.

Our forward pressure as a whole is down. I dont think darling is the only one. I think cripps is in the same boat.

 

[The 747]

Good player, could be better

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Should be doing more for mine.

 

[The Passenger]

Our forward pressure as a whole is down. I dont think darling is the only one. I think cripps is in the same boat.

Yeah that definitely a fair call. Unfortunately.

 

[Kram]

9th in the Coleman race this year, going at 5 marks and 2 goals a game. Not bad a for a 24 year old second tall.

Still feel he has the potential to smash it one year with an injury free run, always seems to be carrying niggles or coming off a limited pre-season.

 

[DaVillaBlues]

Will never be as good as people thought he would be

 

[GCNavyBlue]

Will never be as good as people thought he would be

Yah im glad we took Matthew Watson over Darling......

 

[Freomaniac]

he kicked4-5 goals vs the lions so did 4 other freo players

 

[CarloLion]

he kicked4-5 goals vs the lions so did 4 other freo players

Yeh, a forward kicking a bag against us is definitely not a good indicator of ability.

 

[avishka5]

Yeh, a forward kicking a bag against us is definitely not a good indicator of ability.

kennedy probably played his easiest game on the weekend. 65% time on ground for 6 kicks and 5 goals.

 

[Freomaniac]

goal less vs carlton. Then one goal against an invincible demons out fit.

Next up collingwood. Then the derby against an injury riddled dockers then giants, hawks and crows.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Thought he was going to be A grade but has not come close

 

[kane249]

Get owned on the Eagles board, bump Darling thread to make self feel better

 

[Dugdale2Dwyer]

The sooner he moves away from the Subiaco fishbowl the better, needs to go to Carlton or Collingwood to boost his earning capacity.

 

[Freomaniac]

Where he was not playing as a kpp forward.

Nothing personal to you. I loved that game in 2013 at when fyfe got those 4 goals at subi. I hated that 2012 semi final loss to your mob and didnt want your team to do well in that 2013 season.

 

[Scotland]

goal less vs carlton. Then one goal against an invincible demons out fit.

Next up collingwood. Then the derby against an injury riddled dockers then giants, hawks and crows.

Would still be the leading goalkicker at Freo.

 

[Freomaniac]

Get owned on the Eagles board, bump Darling thread to make self feel better

Far from it... He needs to avoid tilting the head.

 

[mike91]

The sooner he moves away from the Subiaco fishbowl the better, needs to go to Carlton or Collingwood to boost his earning capacity.

Playing in WCE forward line, the bloke should be flourishing, yet by the year he seems to be going backwards. I think playing for WCE he escapes a lot of scrutiny.

 

[Freomaniac]

Would still be the leading goalkicker at Freo.

not really saying much as Freo are injury riddled at the moment. would love the eagles get a similar injury run like freo got in 2011 and 2016.

 

[kane249]

Far from it... He needs to avoid tilting the head.

It's a Waltersesque bad habit, yes

 

[Freomaniac]

It's a Waltersesque bad habit, yes

i am sure Zac Dawson will help him out...

 

[Quinz]

Playing in WCE forward line, the bloke should be flourishing, yet by the year he seems to be going backwards. I think playing for WCE he escapes a lot of scrutiny.

Playing in our forward line gets you 20 rainmakers on top of your head a match, I don't think we'd be a very easy midfield to play in front of most of the time.

 

[kane249]

Playing in WCE forward line, the bloke should be flourishing, yet by the year he seems to be going backwards. I think playing for WCE he escapes a lot of scrutiny.

I'm genuinely curious, what should his targets be as the second tall forward?

In a league comparison of 'second/third bananas' goals this year
Jenkins 47
Membrey 34
Darling 33
Ben Brown 32
Jack Watts 31
Tom Lynch (Adelaide) 28

He's had a bad few weeks, but as second fiddle to Kennedy he's still doing his job.