Jack Darling

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Was absolutely exceptional today.
Clunked about 15 marks and made Astbury look third rate.

I don’t know if it was through shear hard work or not but he always seemed 5m ahead of him all day.

His contested marking today was phenomenal.

 

[avishka5]

Was absolutely exceptional today.
Clunked about 15 marks and made Astbury look third rate.

I don’t know if it was through shear hard work or not but he always seemed 5m ahead of him all day.

He's quick but he is also very explosive off the mark. Teams used to play medium defenders on him t curb that but now he too strong and too good in the air for them. Its good to see a bloke 191cm dominating much taller opponents in the air.

 

[Scotland]

Darling is an excellent mark in front of and just above his face. Doesn't get huge elevation when he jumps for the ball but has good pace and gets separation from his opponent, and is strong enough to hold his arms with a slight bend at the elbows when marking the ball which makes it hard to defend.

 

[dave123]

He’s 25

 

[pablo668]

I'm very happy to see him doing so well. Good to see a player with obvious potential living up to it.
Great to watch.

 

[Jiggyman]

Maturing mentally, despite being a manchild at 18 physically.

 

[M Malice]

Goes to show you shouldn't go off too early with over the top critical critiquing of young key position players, particularly KPFs.

Darling has copped some fearful bagging even from Eagles fans over the years.

 

[Snake_Baker]

He's been a tease for a long time, but he's delivering at the moment.

Hands are currently the cleanest they have ever been.

 

[juss]

The only challenge with every hot patch of career best form/season is trying to avoid regressing to the mean. Its not hard to be brilliant for 8-9 games, plenty have done it, its hard to maintain that level for a full year and beyond.

 

[Brunswick Trap King]

He's been a tease for a long time, but he's delivering at the moment.

Hands are currently the cleanest they have ever been.

That's definitely the difference. For years I couldn't stand watching him in a contest. Suddenly it's become enjoyable. Who'd have thought.

 

[WCErevival]

The only challenge with every hot patch of career best form/season is trying to avoid regressing to the mean. Its not hard to be brilliant for 8-9 games, plenty have done it, its hard to maintain that level for a full year and beyond.

His mean isnt that bad even though he's had his haters. Always been a solid contributor.

 

[Bob Fossil]

The morons that wanted him traded now no longer make me angry, instead I laugh.

Has always been a walk up start, every club in the league would want him and he has kicked on from very good to elite this season.

 

[dave123]

Most forwards are confidence players ....at 25 he’s going to be awesome from 25-30

Josh Kennedy is thirty ...time is ticking ....

It’s a healthy problem to have ...he was unbelievable yesterday

He was Carey like ....Carey though would beat one opponent ....darling was taking contested marks with three guys around him

He should have kicked 8

 

[dave123]

The only challenge with every hot patch of career best form/season is trying to avoid regressing to the mean. Its not hard to be brilliant for 8-9 games, plenty have done it, its hard to maintain that level for a full year and beyond.

I think with today’s flooded back lines a 60 goal season is actually a 90 goal season in the old days

 

[Brunswick Trap King]

He was Carey like ....Carey though would beat one opponent ....darling was taking contested marks with three guys around him

Ease up on the hyperbole.

He's played one amazing game which would be considered a good Carey game. Carey played a ridiculous number of those types of games. Carey would often beat more than one player.

 

[dave123]

Ease up on the hyperbole.

He's played one amazing game which would be considered a good Carey game. Carey played a ridiculous number of those types of games. Carey would often beat more than one player.

I said Carey like in one game

 

[soupofficial]

He's going to kick at least 500 goals in his career. Only 59 players in VFL/AFL history have ever done that.

Brereton didn't get there, nor did Blight, Travis Cloke, Brownless, Cummings, Whitnall, Anthony Rocca, Scott Lucas etc. You have to perform at a high level for an extended period. He's on 299 now, and has not yet turned 26. Going nicely.

 

[30stm]

He is doing alright, but he didn't have a quality defender on him today either.

Are you kidding -Alex Rance 2018 AA captain full back.

 

[Forward Press]

The only challenge with every hot patch of career best form/season is trying to avoid regressing to the mean. Its not hard to be brilliant for 8-9 games, plenty have done it, its hard to maintain that level for a full year and beyond.

Hot patch actually begun towards the end of last year. Would not have made finals, and then won one, if it weren't for him imo.

Some speculate it is after the birth of his first child that he really began to mature. Always had the physical abilities and talent, and is now mentally able to take advantage of it.

 

[juss]

His mean isnt that bad even though he's had his haters. Always been a solid contributor.

Yeh not doubting hes been a solid-good player who is playing like a great player. Does he stay great? Thats the question and the challenge for him. No reason he cant.

 

[nameless]

The only challenge with every hot patch of career best form/season is trying to avoid regressing to the mean. Its not hard to be brilliant for 8-9 games, plenty have done it, its hard to maintain that level for a full year and beyond.

His career average is about 2 goals a game, his usual output is still excellent for a 2nd fwd.

So he should have a career best goal season even if he reverts back to 2 a game for the rest of the season.

He's certainly had more than 8-9 brilliant games in his career as well.

 

[juss]

His career average is about 2 goals a game, his usual output is still excellent for a 2nd fwd.

So he should have a career best goal season even if he reverts back to 2 a game for the rest of the season.

He's certainly had more than 8-9 brilliant games in his career as well.

Not always close to each other though, which is where the frustrations have sometimes been. No reason he cant stay at this very high level. Hes at the right age, hes fit and strong and hes playing in a strong team.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Are you kidding -Alex Rance 2018 AA captain full back.

LOL

 

[numbat06]

Just glad he and Lecras have shutup Eagle supporters. The guy's always been good...he drops a couple of marks and becomes the whipping boy.

 

[Macpotata]

Goes missing in big games, and in games away from home. More so in Melbourne.



Too much of a front runner.