Player Watch Sam Darcy

[SkyC]

How can the Bulldogs hold onto all of Naughton, Ugle-Hagan, Darcy and Croft?

There is so much demand for key-forwards now. No doubt Hawthorn will be right in Darcy's ear offering the 12 year package.

 

[bigboysdontcry]

Great break out game by Sam. Is our number 1 target inside 50 now. Naughton and Ugle-Hagan playing 2nd and 3rd fiddle now. Is fast becoming our 2nd most important player behind Bont. Can’t wait to see him next season after another preseason in the gym.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

The Father Son rule is alright.

 

[Chaisa]

If Jamarra didn't exist I'd think he'd be the next 100 goal player.

How do you defend a guy who's 6'9/10", has genuine athleticism and a good forward IQ? It's gonna be close to impossible.

That the Dogs have two - maybe even three - 60 goal a season players is going to be a big advantage going forward.

 

[cherrypie]

How do you defend a guy who's 6'9/10", has genuine athleticism and a good forward IQ?

Other thing to note is just how long his arms are - they’re huge even compared to others his height. Most defenders even when jumping can’t get first hands to the ball so you’re almost forced to try chop his arms

 

[Cmarsh]

The Father Son rule is alright.

It's a lottery if ever there was one.

 

[Flags_In_The_Bag]

Only knock on him is having a flog for an old man

What has Luke done to make you call hima flog?

 

[Flags_In_The_Bag]

I'm hoping Melbourne are showing his manager a blank cheque right now

I wouldn't take Oliver and Trac for him.

 

[Quinz]

The Dogs spent 20 years looking for a good key forward and now have 3 sensational prospects at once. Wonder if anyone has got into JUH's ear about being the main man elsewhere?

Darcy is something rare indeed.

 

[T2B_]

Does he have any real weaknesses...?

 

[Golden_6]

Does he have any real weaknesses...?

At this point it’s probably his tank and perhaps straight line speed.

The tank may just be the club protecting him over the course of a long season and the straight line speed doesn’t seem to be an issue and consistently takes marks on the lead even with an opponent hanging off him.

 

[CDBulldog]

The Dogs spent 20 years looking for a good key forward and now have 3 sensational prospects at once. Wonder if anyone has got into JUH's ear about being the main man elsewhere?

Darcy is something rare indeed.

There’s another - Jordan Croft (200+cm) young key forward with some real campaigner in him. Much rawer than Darcy but quicker and more agile (run and moves like a midfielder and elite runner for his size). Played first year in vfl this year after being drafted. Still a teenager but a serious key position prospect. Son of bulldogs legend.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Saw Sam's younger brother play this weekend down at at Brighton Beach. Looked pretty handy too, Dogs gonna have quality KPPs coming out their ass for a while yet

 

[Dazb86]

Why don't the Dogs make Darcy their #1 target up forward? Why do they run with this messy forward structure with 4-5 different marking targets all trying to mark the same ball? Even Weightman always tries to mark it when he's playing.

Darcy is by far their most complete forward, and unlike the rest of their forwards, has a good football brain and is a good field kick. The Doggies whole forward line should revolve around this guy.

I think it will this year. Naughton playing higher up the ground with Darcy FF. Not sure we should go the 3 pronged KPF route we went with last year.

 

[Arr0w]

Freak, in contention to be the best player over the next decade

 

[bigboysdontcry]

Haven't seen anything like him in my 35 plus years of watching footy. I am amazed by the skills of the big fella. He is so confident on his left foot and probably after Bont is the best in the side on his non preferred.

Will be very interesting to see how he goes this season. If Naughton is the 2nd ruck and we leave Darcy primary Forward. Could kick 60 plus for the season.

 

[Cyclops]

Best big prospect since NicNat, maybe since Salmon (as was mentioned earlier).

Not a strong ruck yet (unlike those two) but seems more skilled.

Strength and ruck craft should come, Dogs blessed by fs and its a great thing.

Salmon seemed to be a man when he debuted, already powerfully leading and clashing in the ruck, lucky for everyone else he was a fair player. NicNat was somehow clumsier but nimbler, he'd crash a pack and send 5 guys flying, butcher the handball, sprint to the next pack and smash that too.

Darcy isn't hogging the ruck, was mostly beaten by Cameron but buttered up well and his hands in the marking duels aren't weak.

 

[Spiral_Out]

Does he have any real weaknesses...?

His set shot technique is horrible. That said, he is a freak of nature and is already at such a young age one of the best contested marks I've seen, perhaps not as solid in a pack like Travis Cloke because he is lanky, but when he gets a jump at it, jeez he is elite with solid hands.

But his set shot technique is yuck, super yuck, not field kicking, for some reason when he is running straight he's sometimes getting twisted and looks unco, generally dropping the ball on the inside of his foot and pulling it left. Field kicking he doesn't do that because he doesn't have to run straight.

 

[Puddy]

Shouldn't ruck

 

[mattwa]

Will win multiple coleman medals is a freak

 

[NakedDeadGuy]

Absolute jet. Hypothetically if the Tassie team could just take their pick of players ignoring contract status etc, he’d be the number one man I’d be taking to build a team around. JUH who?

 

[mikey83]

He might be a quality player but the Bulldogs will never get the best out of him with Beveridge as the coach.

Last year he had all of Darcy, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan and Weightman going for the same marks up forward and somehow he didn't see the problem.

Any smart coach would build their entire forward line around Darcy. Nevermind his marking, he is a creative player with elite field kicking too. He will be the same type of player as Tom Hawkins, except 15cm taller.

 

[mikey83]

Shouldn't ruck

This too. Absolutely wasted in the ruck, and shows how much of a clown Bevo is.

 

[Lockyer24]

Scariest forward to play against since Buddy.

Kicks straight and marks it a good foot above where your defenders can reach.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Does he have any real weaknesses...?

Not physically. Success will now come down to how he deals with expectations and whether that messes with his head.