The Jack Darling Thread

[MrReims 315]

JACK DARLING

Jack Darling (16 June 1992, 190cm, 86kg)

Mainly going on a gut feeling on this guy. I live OS as some on here would know, so my opinion is purely based on some youtube packages and write ups by the so called professionals. However this guy, despite his lack of the oh so important 4cm, seems to really fit the bill for what we are looking for. Robust, aggressive, strong set of dukes, decent kick. Would fit in nicely to our structure as well. I'm aware of his discipline problems, but he will have a great support network at the dee's, particularly if we do the obvious right thing in keeping Jnr involved at the club as much as possible. I think he is a decent chance to slip to us and he would be my early pick.

Thoughts?

[No16 1]

Would be a great get but I would think that he will not be available... Probably slip a bit similar to butcher last year but not to 12... If he does though, would definately be in consideration.

[ox_5 163]

I had heard a lot about him. That is the first time I have seen footage.

His kicking looks terrible, but he moved alright for a big guy.

[Grandson of a gun 276]

My ONLY concern is he is another mid sized player. Similar to Petterd, Green, Jurrah and co in that he would look to be more like a lead up player, not the towering pack mark player we seem to lack.

If he gets to us then great, but is there anyone else who is a bit bigger?

[Jaded No More 68,967]

Because you can never have too many Jacks

[Watt and Howe? 16]

I'm aware of his discipline problems, but he will have a great support network at the dee's, particularly if we do the obvious right thing in keeping Jnr involved at the club as much as possible. I think he is a decent chance to slip to us and he would be my early pick.

No, no, no, no. I share heaps of mates with Jack and although my view may be bias. I pride the fact that our footy club is pretty good in terms of keeping off field problems on the low. Jack was expelled for a group sex romp and i often see him at clubs doing things he should not be doing...

[e25 5]

A bit fanciful to believe he'd slip to 12.

I get the feeling we may not end up taking a KPF with our first pick.

We need to take the best available and even though there's a good chance it'll be a KPF, I think if it's not then we won't tale one til later.

Lucas Cook and Tom Lynch are likely types that should be available at that pick.

[MrReims 315]

A bit fanciful to believe he'd slip to 12.

Who do you see as interested in him?

[e25 5]

Who do you see as interested in him?

I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

Based on talent, I think the Suns would take him, but character may have him slipping.

It's really a matter of how true some of the stories are, but it looks like we've even got someone with firsthand experience on the thread.

For me to want him, I'd be banking on a lot of it being untrue or overblown.

Essentially, if GC17 doesn't want him because of character issues, then I'm not sure we do either.

Edited August 31, 2010 by E25

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

No, no, no, no. I share heaps of mates with Jack and although my view may be bias. I pride the fact that our footy club is pretty good in terms of keeping off field problems on the low. Jack was expelled for a group sex romp and i often see him at clubs doing things he should not be doing...

If being a bit naughty with the fairer sex is the worst he gets up to I can live with that. If it's drugs, over-doing it on the [censored] or an attitude problem with authority/training... then no thanks.

A bit fanciful to believe he'd slip to 12.

I think you'll find he might. I remember Sellar was behind Gibbs a few years ago. Then he had a terrible last season of juniors, and he dropped to 15. Darling had a shocker too.

[Red Sox 2]

We should all back the club to be able to judge the character of potential draftees. Not sure what anyone of us, unless exact first hand info is available, would know the character of any of these kids.

I would hate to think a sex romp would be an issue that would see us ignore a player. Gee, when I was that age I was all about Footy and sex romps, sadly I only get to enjoy the footy these days!

The club will make the right decision on character.

[twist 0]

Mainly going on a gut feeling on this guy. I live OS as some on here would know, so my opinion is purely based on some youtube packages and write ups by the so called professionals. However this guy, despite his lack of the oh so important 4cm, seems to really fit the bill for what we are looking for. Robust, aggressive, strong set of dukes, decent kick. Would fit in nicely to our structure as well. I'm aware of his discipline problems, but he will have a great support network at the dee's, particularly if we do the obvious right thing in keeping Jnr involved at the club as much as possible. I think he is a decent chance to slip to us and he would be my early pick.

If I was to cut a lowlights package of Darling or any player and post it on youtube would that turn you off drafting them?

[jayceebee31 761]

We should all back the club to be able to judge the character of potential draftees. Not sure what anyone of us, unless exact first hand info is available, would know the character of any of these kids.

I would hate to think a sex romp would be an issue that would see us ignore a player. Gee, when I was that age I was all about Footy and sex romps, sadly I only get to enjoy the footy these days!

The club will make the right decision on character.

The club will pick the best & most suited player to add to our list.I definately think he will be there at 12.He didn't even make the All Australian team,being:

2010 Under-18 All-Australian Team

Defenders: Ben Jacobs (Vic Metro), Matt Watson (Vic Metro), Dyson Heppell (Vic Country), Shaun Atley (VC), Patrick McCarthy (SA), Brodie Smith (SA)

View highlights

Midfielders: Jared Polec (SA), Daniel Gorringe (SA), Andrew Gaff (Vic Metro), Mitch Hallahan (Vic Country), Anthony Miles (NSW/ACT), Tom Liberatore (Vic Metro)

View highlights

Forwards: Harley Bennell (WA), Lucas Cook (Vic Country), Adam Treloar (Vic Country), Jayden Pitt (Vic Country), Steven May (NT), Josh Caddy (Vic Metro)

View highlights

Interchange: Sam Day (SA), Josh Bruce (NSW/ACT), Josh Green (TAS), Sam Darley (TAS)

Josh Caddy or Andrew Gaff would be my pick at 12 if still there.

[rhaz 342]

The club will pick the best & most suited player to add to our list.I definately think he will be there at 12.He didn't even make the All Australian team,being:

Dont take much from the All-Australian team. Matthew Panos was named at FF in last years U18 AA team, yet wasn't taken until pick 48 in the ROOKIE draft.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

Best available all day everyday

[Radar Detector 1,347]

Josh Caddy or Andrew Gaff would be my pick at 12 if still there.

Would be shocked if Gaff is around anywhere near pick 12.

[Disco Demons 92]

best available...... even if it's another ruckman.

that said what's our next pick after 12?

[jayceebee31 761]

Dont take much from the All-Australian team. Matthew Panos was named at FF in last years U18 AA team, yet wasn't taken until pick 48 in the ROOKIE draft.

I accept your point totally, however, as Panos was picked as the best full forward in his year doesn't mean any player is suited. All I am saying is, generally, most of the 22 are picked and the top 12 are usually from the All-Australian team.Darling was picked in the year before but seemed not to produce last year to get into the team again.May have gone backwards or others caught up with him.This is similar to Jack Fitzpatrick whom we picked up for pick 50.He was outstanding as an Under 16 but dropped off basically due to ill health.Starting to pick himself back up.

[jayceebee31 761]

Would be shocked if Gaff is around anywhere near pick 12.

Maybe and most likely wishful thinking.

[twist 0]

Best available all day everyday

No, not at all, needs basis everyday!!

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101642/default.aspx

Melbourne (pick 12)

Needs: The Demons, like the Tigers, are well-placed in terms of having all bases covered on their developing list. Like most clubs, they could do with another key forward or key back, but perhaps the most pressing need is a versatile, 190-centimetre type who can shift between half-back, half-forward and the midfield.

Possibilities: Geelong Falcons’ swingman Billie Smedts is just about the most versatile player in the draft, so he’ll be considered. Smedts’s main rival for the title of King Versatile is Sandringham Dragons gun Ben Jacobs, who’s a noted accumulator of the ball. Not all clubs are sold on Jacobs because of a perceived laziness in the past, but he appears to have left those days behind and he’d be a worthy No.12 selection. Not that it means much in terms of footy ability, but Jacobs is doing Year 12 at Jack Watts’s old school, Brighton Grammar.

paul daffey on what we want

both pretty good kicks, although ben jacobs is a gifted player, a bit of travis johnstone rings through on laziness, personally id hope melbourne could get caddy, absolute gun, i remember his attack on the ball and his kicking was pretty good over the carnival

[tess 19]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101642/default.aspx

paul daffey on what we want

both pretty good kicks, although ben jacobs is a gifted player, a bit of travis johnstone rings through on laziness, personally id hope melbourne could get caddy, absolute gun, i remember his attack on the ball and his kicking was pretty good over the carnival

Did you just watch Caddy in the one game?

[flamindees 16]

Darling has been used quite a bit in West Perth's midfield this season- he's kinda like a young Brad Green but slightly taller and more physical- if he slides in the draft and attitude issues are minor or unfounded, then he's definately worth looking at

[Adzman 2,154]

Hate to say it, but best available wins out. Even if it is a player we dont "need", a class player will be useful in a few years time. You never know who might decide to walk out on us during our window. Having a groomed kid to step in would be a blessing.

[jayceebee31 761]

Jack Darling is currently in hospital following an attack last Sunday night-refer to http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101835/default.aspx for full information.He suffered bruising to his brain and a fracture to his skull after being attacked leaving a Subiaco hotel.

Edited September 2, 2010 by jayceebee31