Jack Darling

[Roobs321]

The good thing for us is that when JJK/Darling have their inevitable lull in form (or injury), the other tends to hit a purple patch. So we at least have in-form forward coverage. Since 2012-13 their workrate/forward pressure has also been immense.

 

[Scotland]

Is one of the comps forwards who can still grab a game by the neck and win it off his boot. Genuine star when he's going.

Having said that has made some brutal grand final day blunders, some really bad ones.

Made up for it with his 2018 GF 3rd quarter. Granted if we had lost after he dropped a mark in the goal square he would be forever known for that single moment but we won so let's focus on the 4 contested marks he took instead.

I don't know what his stats were at half time but they wouldn't have been much above doughnuts. Finished with 12 touches, 7 marks and a goal and was #1 on the ground for contested marks.

He is an odd case study. Even over the last month. Kicked 4 against Freo in a 15 goal win but wasn't dominant and didn't feature in the votes. We beat Melbourne comfortably at home and he kicked 1.0 out of 14.22 and was barely sighted. Then he goes and kicks 5.2 and takes 4 contested marks in horrible conditions against the Hawks and was important yesterday when we turned in a pretty flat effort. Last year he polled Brownlow votes away to GWS, turned in the individual game of the year against Richmond, then polled away against Brisbane and in two easy wins against the Dogs. No pattern to it at all.

 

[Forward Press]

He had 7 touches, 5 marks (4 contested) and a goal I believe in the third quarter. Without it we would've been behind at 3QT of the GF.

 

[4THAWN]

Made up for it with his 2018 GF 3rd quarter. Granted if we had lost after he dropped a mark in the goal square he would be forever known for that single moment but we won so let's focus on the 4 contested marks he took instead.

I don't know what his stats were at half time but they wouldn't have been much above doughnuts. Finished with 12 touches, 7 marks and a goal and was #1 on the ground for contested marks.

He is an odd case study. Even over the last month. Kicked 4 against Freo in a 15 goal win but wasn't dominant and didn't feature in the votes. We beat Melbourne comfortably at home and he kicked 1.0 out of 14.22 and was barely sighted. Then he goes and kicks 5.2 and takes 4 contested marks in horrible conditions against the Hawks and was important yesterday when we turned in a pretty flat effort. Last year he polled Brownlow votes away to GWS, turned in the individual game of the year against Richmond, then polled away against Brisbane and in two easy wins against the Dogs. No pattern to it at all.

yeah he was important especially in the second half of that granny. Not to mention how helpful he is to Kennedy, allowing him to not be the sole focus of the opposition defenders in marking contests. I reckon he's going to become the clear key forward for west coast soon as Kennedy ages. I can picture Darling kicking 60+ accompanied by a solid 40 from JK, and hopefully 25 or so each for Ryan, Rioli, Cameron, Allen etc. Depends how long Kennedy can hang on for I guess, but that forward line looms as dangerous for the future. Has a real hawthorn threepeat type feel about it to me.

 

[Macpotata]

Get back. Get back boy!

 

[Hotdees]

Warm sunny day in Perth against average opposition. Jack Darling likes this. Let’s see how he goes this week

 

[kane249]

Warm sunny day in Perth against average opposition. Jack Darling likes this. Let’s see how he goes this week

Well his career best was against Richmond last year, so he's got form against them

21 Disposals
15 Marks
6 goals

Dazzling Darling story continues

The incredible form of Jack Darling was once again on display with an array of huge grabs and goals

www.afl.com.au

 

[Brenton Davy]

Warm sunny day in Perth against average opposition. Jack Darling likes this. Let’s see how he goes this week

Well he certainly made a mess of the traffic cone who was tasked with opposing him.

 

[W.C. Fry]

Zac Clarke makes a better tall forward than Darling.

A lot of shit dribbled in this thread, but you sir have outdone everyone.

 

[Forward Press]

A lot of s**t dribbled in this thread, but you sir have outdone everyone.

Was posted in 2014.

 

[Forward Press]

On topic, though, equal fourth in the Coleman this year, critical part of the flag last year (both during the season and during the GF itself). Recently signed a four year deal to make him an Eagle for life effectively.

Long live the king.

 

[W.C. Fry]

Was posted in 2014.

Duh you don't say.

 

[Forward Press]

Duh you don't say.

At the time it wasn't that controversial an opinion especially for Freo fans. Darling had plateaued and Clarke was the next great hope.

I am sure we all made predictions in 2014 that turned out to be crap five years later.

 

[W.C. Fry]

At the time it wasn't that controversial an opinion especially for Freo fans. Darling had plateaued and Clarke was the next great hope.

I am sure we all made predictions in 2014 that turned out to be crap five years later.

I just saw this thread pop up again, went back to read what I posted years ago, then read a few pages before that for shits and giggles.

If you don't get a giggle out of Freo fans thinking Clarke was, is, or will be better than Darling then I can't help you.

Except for saying you don't need to white knight or play devils advocate in every post you make!

 

[avishka5]

In 2014 Jack was 22 and in his 4th season. For a key forward he was still very young ish and the flack that he got was undeserved.

He Booted 39 goals that year, 42 and 53 goals in the previous two years. Most clubs would take that from a young KPF (let alone their second primary target).

 

[avishka5]

Also after kicking 53 goals in his second year, the oppo were always gonna put more effort into him and try working him out.

Jake Stringer is a bit similar in a sense but had his own issues but he also dropped off a ton after his blistering start.

 

[nameless]

Was posted in 2014.

That's really not helping the case for the poster haha

 

[Ricmel]

I remember him as an underaged in TAC, had he been eligible would have gone high as an under ager...looked like he could be anything. Sadly has not lived up to junior form. People will point to the fact that he kicks a few goals....but gee he gets a disproportionate number of Joe the gooses and soft out the backs.

Likes it on his own terms but prefer others when things get spicy.

 

[avishka5]

I remember him as an underaged in TAC, had he been eligible would have gone high as an under ager...looked like he could be anything. Sadly has not lived up to junior form. People will point to the fact that he kicks a few goals....but gee he gets a disproportionate number of Joe the gooses and soft out the backs.

Likes it on his own terms but prefer others when things get spicy.

He didn't even play TAC cup lol.

Also did you watch the GF. he was unsighted before half time and was huge in the last half.

 

[bunderson]

When Jack is on he is a game breaker. So glad he is receiving the credit he deserves.

Even when he has an off day - how often do you ever see his opponent ever mark to ball or win a contest? Always halves a contest and brings the ball to ground as a minimum for the smalls and provides pressure.

absolute gun.

 

[Big Cox 88]

I remember him as an underaged in TAC, had he been eligible would have gone high as an under ager...looked like he could be anything. Sadly has not lived up to junior form. People will point to the fact that he kicks a few goals....but gee he gets a disproportionate number of Joe the gooses and soft out the backs.

Likes it on his own terms but prefer others when things get spicy.

Have you ever watched a West Coast game? Serious question.

 

[SloppyJoe]

I remember him as an underaged in TAC, had he been eligible would have gone high as an under ager...looked like he could be anything. Sadly has not lived up to junior form. People will point to the fact that he kicks a few goals....but gee he gets a disproportionate number of Joe the gooses and soft out the backs.

Likes it on his own terms but prefer others when things get spicy.

You are thinking of someone else?

 

[digrar]

TAC cup or Teal cup? Wasn't TAC, he played for West Perth in the Colts and League teams before being drafted.

 

[Corkintheocean]

Warm sunny day in Perth against average opposition. Jack Darling likes this. Let’s see how he goes this week

Yeah he did have a decent day out in the prelim last year iirc.

 

[Ricmel]

TAC cup or Teal cup? Wasn't TAC, he played for West Perth in the Colts and League teams before being drafted.

Yes TEAL Cup. He played a few games as an underaged which is rare, they usually rotate the under agers but he was a big mature kid.