Jack Darling

[Coaster2012]

however he is not a superstar... There are a lot of stars around. Josh Bruce numbers over the years are not that far behind Darling (except for this year). Jack Darling was compared to Carey at the start of his career, but he has never been able to move past a certain point. He's got to the point of being a good player, but never gone to being a superstar. He has the athleticism and skill to be up there with someone like Buddy as one of the best forwards of this generation, but why isn't he at that level? JK is higher in the stratosphere of stardom than Darling, but JK is a one dimensional lead/mark/goal player. Darling is more athletic than JK and on the surface should be able to match him + more, and that's what makes it strange to me. Either he is just complacent being known as a good player or playing as no 2 behind Kennedy has hindered his career from a positional and mental aspect?

Lol, what a howler.

Josh Bruce: 171 goals
Jack Darling: 404 goals

Both 28.

They aren't even in the same stratosphere, bud.

And talk about setting the bar impossibly high. He didn't make it to Buddy Franklins level so he's failed? What a ridiculous comment. He won't go down as a Buddy Franklin (did anyone ever think he would?) but he could very well go down as the number 2 best forward WC have ever had if he stays fit. Peter Sumichs goal tally is only 3 decent seasons away and he may take Lecras over next season. Pretty ****ing good effort I would have thought.

 

[masai]

Lol, what a howler.

Josh Bruce: 171 goals
Jack Darling: 404 goals

Both 28.

They aren't even in the same stratosphere, bud.

And talk about setting the bar impossibly high. He didn't make it to Buddy Franklins level so he's failed? What a ridiculous comment.

Geez, bringing Josh Bruce into the discussion is low. Please advise me of the word meaning “below dud status” ?.

As for Darling, he is a darn good player, but still has a nervous tic.

 

[fidstar]

wtf? Who thought Darling was going to be Carey/Buddy?

Great player, who fits nicely in our all time starting 18.

Not bad for a bloke picked up 26th in the draft.

 

[Sweet Jesus]

FFS West Coast's problem has nothing to do with Jack Darling. He'll be among the first picked for the next few years.

 

[Scotland]

Darling is 8th for career goals for current player. He goes OK.

 

[Americanpies]

Lol, what a howler.

Josh Bruce: 171 goals
Jack Darling: 404 goals

Both 28.

They aren't even in the same stratosphere, bud.

And talk about setting the bar impossibly high. He didn't make it to Buddy Franklins level so he's failed? What a ridiculous comment. He won't go down as a Buddy Franklin (did anyone ever think he would?) but he could very well go down as the number 2 best forward WC have ever had if he stays fit. Peter Sumichs goal tally is only 3 decent seasons away and he may take Lecras over next season. Pretty ******* good effort I would have thought.

Josh Bruce 113 Games

Jack Darling 212 Games


Josh Bruce Goals Per Game
2019 1.6
2018 1.3 (only played 3 games)
2017 1.8
2016 1.7
2015 2.3

Jack Darling Goals Per Game
2019 2.3
2018 2.3
2017 1.9
2016 1.9
2015 1.7

I'm honestly not trolling. I just don't see the upside to Darling that you do. Potential Yes.. The real goods, not so much..

 

[Americanpies]

wtf? Who thought Darling was going to be Carey/Buddy?

Great player, who fits nicely in our all time starting 18.

Not bad for a bloke picked up 26th in the draft.

It's on his Wikipedia -

Jack Darling attracted comparisons to AFL greats Wayne Carey and Jonathan Brown.[6] By the time he was in his third season, with seven rounds remaining until the end of the season, Darling had played 62 games for the Eagles. In that time, he had kicked 112 goals, taken 304 marks and an astounding 205 tackles. Carey, by comparison, had played 59 games in his first four seasons for North Melbourne, having played just four in his debut year 1989. In those games, Carey kicked 112 goals, took 353 marks and laid just 58 tackles. Jonathan Brown played 57 games in his first three seasons with the Brisbane Lions and won two premierships. He kicked 57 goals in that period, took 301 marks and laid 62 tackles.[6]


Unless someone just made it up.

 

[ep2018]

The first half of 2018 before Darling did his ankle he was playing like Carey. He was the best player in the AFL up until that point. He kicked five on Rance who was the best defender at that point. He has massive potential. But the saying "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" is unfortunately apt for him. He is wasting some prime years playing up and down footy.

 

[Americanpies]

The first half of 2018 before Darling did his ankle he was playing like Carey. He was the best player in the AFL up until that point. He kicked five on Rance who was the best defender at that point. He has massive potential. But the saying "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" is unfortunately apt for him. He is wasting some prime years playing up and down footy.

Yes, I didn't think about injury actually. Don't get me wrong either. I want him to take the next step. Maybe when JK retires he can own the forward line and grow/mature into something great.

 

[Scotland]

Josh Bruce 113 Games

Jack Darling 212 Games

Josh Bruce Goals Per Game
2019 1.6
2018 1.3 (only played 3 games)
2017 1.8
2016 1.7
2015 2.3

Jack Darling Goals Per Game
2019 2.3 All Australian
2018 2.3 All Australian squad, absolute lock before missing 6 games
2017 1.9
2016 1.9
2015 1.7

I'm honestly not trolling. I just don't see the upside to Darling that you do. Potential Yes.. The real goods, not so much..

OK.

 

[HairyO]

Genuine question...how do you rate his finals record?

My impression (and it's not like I watch all his games), is that he's a "flat track bully". Beats up on lesser opponents or in home games and tends to fall away in the bigger games. Happy to be proven wrong. Just my impression based on the little I watch of the Eagles.

And you are right, he will end up with a fantastic footy record. Very impressive cv.

Had a shocker in the 2015 GF but wasnt as bad as Kennedy. Was far better in 2018.

Had a great game On Saturday night.

 

[Scotland]

Had a shocker in the 2015 GF but wasnt as bad as Kennedy. Was far better in 2018.

Had a great game On Saturday night.

Defenders double teamed Kennedy in 2015 because he was the 80 goal forward. Darling couldn't capitalise and had no impact. But that was 5 years ago and he was 23.

I don't really see him as any different in finals. Over 214 games he averages 5 marks and 1.9 goals a game. In 17 finals it's 5.1 marks and 2 goals. Not much in it. Wasn't good in the 2015 finals series but also wasn't very good in 2015 overall having missed the pre-season and starting his season in Rd 11. Kicked 26 goals in 15 games. Saturday was probably his best final with 13 touches, 6 marks and 3.2. He hasn't dominated any finals but then he rarely dominates games full stop. He's a 2s, 3s and 4s guy. Which is why he's played 10 seasons and in 9 of them he has never been called the best forward in the comp.

 

[Port Adel Proud]

The first half of 2018 before Darling did his ankle he was playing like Carey. He was the best player in the AFL up until that point. He kicked five on Rance who was the best defender at that point. He has massive potential. But the saying "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" is unfortunately apt for him. He is wasting some prime years playing up and down footy.

Looks like Tarzan plays like one hit wonder Gaff.

 

[ConcreteWaters]

So the critcism is that he hasn't turned out to be as good as Franklin.

This. It's a tough crowd when you're a failure if you're not as good or better than someone who is talked about as being in the top few players of ALL TIME!

Bloke hit his ceiling early and it was a pretty high one. There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't have him.

 

[Cobbler]

Can’t stand the bloke. Great as a second forward and does his job very well. Just can’t stand the constant playing for frees. Regular head throw backs. Throwing himself forward at minimal contact and his crafty one is to grab defenders arms and pull them over his shoulders when in a contest.
Before anyone jumps in and goes ‘Yeah what about Walters’. Walters doesn’t receive the frees. Yes he plays for them, but rarely gets them and in fact then doesn’t get the ones he should due to this fact.

Darling keeps getting his.

 

[Taylor]

wtf? Who thought Darling was going to be Carey/Buddy?

Great player, who fits nicely in our all time starting 18.

Not bad for a bloke picked up 26th in the draft.

Outstanding priority pick choice.

 

[Scotland]

Jack Darling: 214 games, 229 free kicks (1.07 per game)
Michael Walters: 165 games, 290 free kicks (1.76 per game)

Good thread would read again.

 

[bh90210fan]

The first half of 2018 before Darling did his ankle he was playing like Carey. He was the best player in the AFL up until that point. He kicked five on Rance who was the best defender at that point. He has massive potential. But the saying "looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane" is unfortunately apt for him. He is wasting some prime years playing up and down footy.

He’s 191cm and outmarked / outmuscled Darcy Moore on the weekend. Does this week in, week out. If he played like Jane he’d never get a touch. The guy literally punches above his weight every game

 

[Taylor]

Jack Darling: 214 games, 229 free kicks (1.07 per game)
Michael Walters: 165 games, 290 free kicks (1.76 per game)

Good thread would read again.

With Walters having almost +50% involvements in the game by average career disposals too.

 

[Scotland]

He’s 191cm and outmarked / outmuscled Darcy Moore on the weekend. Does this week in, week out. If he played like Jane he’d never get a touch. The guy literally punches above his weight every game

I guess everyone has forgotten that time he took 15 marks and kicked 6 on Alex Rance.

 

[Scotland]

With Walters having almost +50% involvements in the game by average career disposals too.

Cool?

Walters averages more frees than every single player on our list.

 

[Power Raid]

I can't think of too many sides he wouldn't be a walk up start in the 22

Sure he may not be Carey but he's doing fine

 

[Scotland]

I can't think of too many sides he wouldn't be a walk up start in the 22

Sure he may not be Carey but he's doing fine

The only team he wouldn't automatically be FF or CHF is Richmond who have Lynch and Riewoldt. Even then, I'm sure they could find a way so sneak him in on a HFF.

 

[Power Raid]

The only team he wouldn't automatically be FF or CHF is Richmond who have Lynch and Riewoldt. Even then, I'm sure they could find a way so sneak him in on a HFF.

yep or even a jonas type role down back.

He's definitely a forward but has currency in his utility

 

[Freo Big Fella]

wtf? Who thought Darling was going to be Carey/Buddy?

Great player, who fits nicely in our all time starting 18.

Not bad for a bloke picked up 26th in the draft.

Your club's daily newsletter, for starters.

Jack Darling tries out his best Carey impersonation

In the first half against the Giants, it was as if the entire game revolved around the Eagles forward, such is his form this year.

thewest.com.au