The Jack Darling Thread

[rpfc 28,546]

This would be my main concern esp at AFL level. I know some shorter players "play tall" and its not always about the tape measure, but I thought the objective was to get a tall KPF.

What do others think?

I'm with you.

Watts and Jurrah will be around for a decade.

We need a FF/FP who can relieve Jamar.

Darling doesn't have the height for it.

[e25 5]

I'd have to say it's a serious concern.

This is where "Best Available" and "Needs" come into play.

Needs directly affect the subjective assessment of Best Available.

I'm sure he's good, but I don't know that you'd rate him as better than, for example, Smedts.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

Brendan Goddard anyone he is 191cm and could easily play CHF, FF, CHB, FB and anything in between. I am not saying he is or every will be as good as Goddard. But he was rated as a potential number 1 12 months or so ago! Reading the footydraft.com website he sounds pretty talented.

Having said all that he has a pretty horrid 12 months on and off the field,if his mind and attitude arn't in it than it's a NO.

He is the most interesting player in the draft as he really could go anywere from 4 - ??

[Summer Blease 0]

Would Watts ever be considered for ruck duties in the forward line? If so, then we wouldn't go lynch one would presume. I have a feeling GC will snatch him before us anyway.

[Hannabal 4]

I haven't seen a lot of Darling, but I like what I have seen. I love his confidence, aggression and the way he moves. He can pinch hit in the midfield, but is better suited as a key forward.

He had an interrupted preseason due to an ankle injury, which would have hindered his output this year. I'm not concerned by his height and I'm certainly not concerned by a "sex romp". If he's good enough his height won't matter. If he's not good enough then his height will be used as the excuse. It really just gets back to whether he's good enough.

Pavlich - 192cms

Fevola - 191 cms

Dunstall - 188 cms

Hird - 188 cms

Brereton - 186 cms

G Ablett Snr - 185 cms

A Jakovich - 187 cms

I believe Darling is now 191 cms.

As I said, if he's good enough his height won't matter. I like the way he goes about it and reckon his smarts, reading of the play and aggression would perfectly compliment our forward line.

# And yes, I know that players are taller in this era.

[BAMF 4,360]

There are so many question marks over this guy. Hope we steer clear.

[MikeAlphaTango 150]

I like the idea of him, but would be a risk. Height isn't everything, if he gets in the right positions and is a strong mark id be happy. Fev isn't the tallest but his ability to get to the ball and use his body allows him to dominate.

People crying for a ff/ruck to release Jamar will have to look at mature age players who have the body strength to play those positions, because any 18yr old drafted this year wont make an impact for a couple of years. But if we wait, we have Fitzpatrick in the wings who is supposed to play that exact position forward/ruck, its just going to take time.

[Hannabal 4]

There are so many question marks over this guy. Hope we steer clear.

The recruiters would have watch him 15 times live, interviewed him, and spoken to his family and coaches.

The question marks you have won't be as pronounced for the people making the decision on recruiting him. I'll back their judgment.

From the limited amount I've seen, I hope we don't "steer clear".

[Demon Disciple 12,186]

From the limited amount I've seen, I hope we don't "steer clear".

If he has recovered well from his head injury, i would love to get him to the club. He crashes and bashes, kicks a long ball, takes a great contested grab, and puts on defensive pressure that is rare for a big man. Good on him if he has a swagger, gotta love the self-confidence. I'd much rather a "yes i can" attitude as opposed to a "no i can't" one.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

The question marks you have won't be as pronounced for the people making the decision on recruiting him. I'll back their judgment.

This is the judgement that worked similarly for Temel. Did everything he would have needed to do on field, and his attitude (along with his type/speed etc) saw him overlooked completely.

And in that example is where I have some concerns. His behaviour, like you say, is either good or bad. If it's just hi-jinks, he won't be overlooked. My issues with him come with what you see on the field.

I was massively impressed with Watts as a KP player, and basically just as a player. What I loved was that he was a rake. You couldn't say he was doing what he was doing just because he was overdeveloped. He did it on skill and smarts, along with the athleticism and height he has for all to see...

Fast forward a couple of years to Darling. The guy obviously has different strengths. I have absolutely no doubt he'll be an AFL player based on what exhibitions I've seen. He's one of those cases where a youtube clip IS enough to see he has what it takes. My worry though is that he's pretty big already. There are kids that are big at school, get older, and develop more instead of hitting a plateau at 18. Hurley is a good example. But it's certainly a factor when you look at him that part of the reason he goes as hard at it as he does might be the fact he's a solid unit. When he's surrounded by men will he fade into the background? If he DOES fall back to the pack, as so often happens with young players (for more reasons than just size), will he put his head down, bum up, and WORK to regain that dominance he enjoyed as a Junior?

Put simply, I was like many, impressed with what I saw... but like always, not sure if what I saw would translate to the AFL all that well. Like you say it comes down, simply, to how good he is, and how well the FD predicts his career trajectory.

[Hannabal 4]

This is the judgement that worked similarly for Temel. Did everything he would have needed to do on field, and his attitude (along with his type/speed etc) saw him overlooked completely.

Put simply, I was like many, impressed with what I saw... but like always, not sure if what I saw would translate to the AFL all that well.

What I've seen would translate to the AFL perfectly.

I wouldn't mention Temel in the same breath. Slow and one dimensional. No comparison.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

What I've seen would translate to the AFL perfectly.

I wouldn't mention Temel in the same breath. Slow and one dimensional. No comparison.

I thought you'd say that. I only mentioned him because of the size/weight thing... He's one of the better examples of a kid being too big that have popped up in recent memory. And yes, that's about where the comparisons end...

Though I'm interested. How would you compare him to Panos?

I saw the thread when I got on today, and it occurred to me, why is everyone even talking about this? He's super-unlikely to be available, and there's such a slim chance he'll end up at the dees. And I've done no homework on others who are available. Why even worry about it? I'd be pumped if we got him, or any other tall in the first dozen.

[Red Sox 2]

I thought you'd say that. I only mentioned him because of the size/weight thing... He's one of the better examples of a kid being too big that have popped up in recent memory. And yes, that's about where the comparisons end...

Though I'm interested. How would you compare him to Panos?

I saw the thread when I got on today, and it occurred to me, why is everyone even talking about this? He's super-unlikely to be available, and there's such a slim chance he'll end up at the dees. And I've done no homework on others who are available. Why even worry about it? I'd be pumped if we got him, or any other tall in the first dozen.

Going by experts opinion they have Darling going well after 12.

I am more than happy to go with their judgment as they usually have the top 20 around the mark.

[hrob 2]

when is the draft btw?

[Red Sox 2]

when is the draft btw?

Nov 18

Dec 7 for pre-season & rookie

[e25 5]

Going by experts opinion they have Darling going well after 12.

I am more than happy to go with their judgment as they usually have the top 20 around the mark.

Which experts?

There aren't many that are more in the know than Kevin Sheehan and he suggested Darling was a likely candidate for pick 12 in his article on the MFC website.

[Summer Blease 0]

I've read a few article that have said he may slide to 20, but that was based on his percieved rambunctious offield behaviour- Noone has reported he would slide out of the first round, he is too talented.

Imagine Darling in the MFC forward line with Tappy. All of a sudden we become imposing. Defenders are going to be crapping themselves running back with the flight, ala the Barry Hall effect.

I will be wraped if we recruit him because it means he is good to go!

[Red Sox 2]

Which experts?

There aren't many that are more in the know than Kevin Sheehan and he suggested Darling was a likely candidate for pick 12 in his article on the MFC website.

Think it was Daffey and one other. Your right, I did see Sheehan have him going to us at 12.

Hoping Sheehan is correct.

[Hannabal 4]

Think it was Daffey and one other. Your right, I did see Sheehan have him going to us at 12.

Hoping Sheehan is correct.

Daffy only gave his top 10, didn't he ? And who was the "one other" ?

Facts aren't your strong suit.

[Red Sox 2]

Daffy only gave his top 10, didn't he ? And who was the "one other" ?

Facts aren't your strong suit.

Fairly certain I caught a 25 from Daffey. Emma Quayle has mentioned him slipping towards the late teens.

Unless stalking these people is your strong suit, not sure why you would feel the need to further question the matter?

Your killing me.

[Hannabal 4]

Fairly certain I caught a 25 from Daffey. Emma Quayle has mentioned him slipping towards the late teens.

Your killing me.

It's "you're".

If you've got the facts then no doubt you'll put me in my place. Many people on forums spout unsubstantiated throw away lines, so I'm naturally sceptical. Maybe you didn't in this case.

You did say "going by experts opinion". I suppose that that may only insinuate two. I'm not sure that two is a meaningful sample.

We'll find out soon enough.

[Chelly 814]

Daffy only gave his top 10, didn't he ? And who was the "one other" ?

Facts aren't your strong suit.

suit, shmoot, looks like a 25 to me - 

Top 25 draft prospects

[H_T 3,049]

suit, shmoot, looks like a 25 to me -

Top 25 draft prospects

Here is an earlier version from Daffey in August, whilst not numbered they look to be the top 25 starting from the top.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101090/default.aspx

Fwiw, Darling is listed 4th.

[daisycutter 29,627]

Here is an earlier version from Daffey in August, whilst not numbered they look to be the top 25 starting from the top.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/101090/default.aspx

Fwiw, Darling is listed 4th.

And he's gone from "bullocking" to "rambunctious"

[e25 5]

To be honest, if you wanna know what Darling will be like, think of Bate with a bit more agility and decent defensive pressure and I think you're on the money.

Maybe a handy player to have, but I'm not sure it's what we need.