The Jack Darling Thread

[Range Rover 1,935]

I'm not sold on the argument that your power forward needs to be 195+ cms. A poster earlier mentioned that Fevola, Bradshaw and Chris Dawes are all around the 192 cm and the bang crash forward line player who Darling has often been likened to - Aaron Hamill - was just 184 cms.

If the only reason you want to draft a 200 cm gorilla is for the long bomb to the goal square then I don't think that's sound strategy. Get a bloke in who's got more strings to his bow than that.

Choose the best available footy player.

[Demon Disciple 12,068]

If we are drafting a tall forward, I want him to be able take on some of the ruck work, at least on the forward line, if not around the ground on occasions.

I know that one Jack Watts has been working on his rucking game at training. What's he now 196 cm??? His versatility will make him an even more dangerous weapon with these new rules coming in.

[Al`s DEMONS 0]

with our supposed up and coming gun midfield why are we long bombing the ball. look at the damage Pettard and Green did on the end of some `lace out` during the year. when the play has slowed , and the oppisition flooded back , either kick it in the direction of Jamar or Jurrah, or bring the ball to ground for Aussie. what is Darlings height compared with Neita`s?.

Edited November 16, 2010 by Al`s DEMONS

[ChaserJ 5,009]

Emma Quayle on Darling:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jacks-not-every-clubs-darling-20101116-17vwe.html

[Jordie_tackles 354]

I don't want Darling. And it's not just because of the off field issues. In fact, I think that his poor off field stuff has almost elevated his playing ability in supporters' eyes.

Firstly, if Gold Coast have decided that they won't touch him with their raft of high picks then why should we? We've just lost some experienced leaders, so these players are going to have to create their own culture. I don't want someone like he apparently is having a role of deciding this. We've got some great talent with some quality young kids who can create a great side - let's not [censored] it up.

The gold Coast will have past up any player we pick.... thats why they are available.

[Axis of Bob 11,686]

I was going by Emma Quayle's comment that he won't go to Gold Coast. Nowhere else in the article does she actively state that a club won't take a player, implying that they've made a decision to not take Darling.

Further, in her article on Darling she states that "some [clubs] simply wouldn't draft him, at any pick". If you are not prepared to draft him at any pick then you must have some pretty serious issues. Also a club recruiter saying "We couldn't keep up with his drinking".

I obviously haven't been part of any interview, nor do I know Jack. But the evidence seems to be pretty that there are few things not quite right. Maybe he'll suddenly mature as soon as he steps into an AFL club. Maybe he won't. Do I want to take that risk? Not particularly. Certainly if I was going to take the risk then I'd want the potential payoff to be much, much higher considering we'd be paying pick 12.

[e25 5]

Interestingly, when asked by Cameron Schwab on Twitter who the dees should select at 12, Quayle has answered Darling.

She doesn't seem too concerned by his dodgy rep.

He is a real wildcard, this one.

I think he may well turn out to be a star, but we have better options.

As rfpc first mentioned and since others have followed, with Darling we'd be selecting a KPF who is not really suitable for competing in the ruck.

This is not really what we need & he could easily be relegated to an expensive backup for Jurrah & Watts.

I tend to agree.

Darling may like his chances of cutting it in the midfield, but if I was drafting him it'd be to play as a forward in the Sammy Hammill mould.

[furious d 463]

"Even in my interview with Melbourne, they said 'we've heard you're a bit of a lad,' but I'm pretty quiet around the boys, really,'' Darling said."

Just a gut feel but I don't reckon we'll take him.

[Roost It 1,434]

Maybe that's why Richmond didn't take Buddy.

[drdrake 3,162]

Is he a slightly taller Col Sylvia?

[e25 5]

I think I said that in my phantom draft.

I definitely see a bit of Col in him.

[old55 23,404]

As rfpc first mentioned and since others have followed, with Darling we'd be selecting a KPF who is not really suitable for competing in the ruck.

This is not really what we need & he could easily be relegated to an expensive backup for Jurrah & Watts.

I tend to agree.

Darling may like his chances of cutting it in the midfield, but if I was drafting him it'd be to play as a forward in the Sammy Hammill mould.

He sounds linke he'd be a better version of Dunn and Petterd and take that role in our team. If he is fast and agile enough to play midfield. And he commented directly on his defensive work in that article. He could fill a role and fit our forward line with Watts, Jurrah and a fwd/ruck in there too.

[e25 5]

Yeah, i know he's been on the radar for so long that we are now into over-analysis, but what elite qualities does he bring to us?

If it's running, then Bate and Dunn already have that.

They have physicality too.

He's not necessarily better skilled than either of them.

I think the only thing he excells at over them is overhead marking.

So you could be right, a slightly improved version of those guys.

Is that what we want to use pick 12 on..?

[old55 23,404]

Yeah, i know he's been on the radar for so long that we are now into over-analysis, but what elite qualities does he bring to us?

If it's running, then Bate and Dunn already have that.

They have physicality too.

He's not necessarily better skilled than either of them.

I think the only thing he excells at over them is overhead marking.

So you could be right, a slightly improved version of those guys.

Is that what we want to use pick 12 on..?

Many people seem to favour him on "need" - his type is not in my first 3 needs. Like all other candidates for 12 he should be battling it out on ability and character.

[Hiram Cowfreak 77]

I was going by Emma Quayle's comment that he won't go to Gold Coast. Nowhere else in the article does she actively state that a club won't take a player, implying that they've made a decision to not take Darling.

Further, in her article on Darling she states that "some [clubs] simply wouldn't draft him, at any pick". If you are not prepared to draft him at any pick then you must have some pretty serious issues. Also a club recruiter saying "We couldn't keep up with his drinking".

I obviously haven't been part of any interview, nor do I know Jack. But the evidence seems to be pretty that there are few things not quite right. Maybe he'll suddenly mature as soon as he steps into an AFL club. Maybe he won't. Do I want to take that risk? Not particularly. Certainly if I was going to take the risk then I'd want the potential payoff to be much, much higher considering we'd be paying pick 12.

I think there are too many risks associated with Darling - Western Australian, has a crack at bouncers at 18 years old (allegedly), medium height, alcahol issues...we just got rid of Carroll why do it again?

I am excited by our prospects in tomorrows draft, with pick 12 we will get a very good player, and with our footy department performing so well, we are sure to get some great picks later. Looking forward to a few surprises tomorrow, hope we get young Ugle or similar, maybe we can add a young Tiwi Islander for Aussie to work with...our rookie list has plenty of room

[Guest Guy Rigoni]

He is the one player in the draft that i want, who's to say he won't grow an extra inch or two and he's the same height as Fevola, and will have a similar body type down the road.

That being said i was praying that Melbourne would draft Alex Rance and David Gourdis a few years (thinking they would be future AA's at FF and FB), but look how thats turned out for Richmond

[Range Rover 1,935]

He is the one player in the draft that i want, who's to say he won't grow an extra inch or two and he's the same height as Fevola, and will have a similar body type down the road.

That being said i was praying that Melbourne would draft Alex Rance and David Gourdis a few years (thinking they would be future AA's at FF and FB), but look how thats turned out for Richmond

This guy is in a different class to those players in my opinion.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,024]

Interesting interview. I know he's trying to sell himself and the article itself has been edited to make him look ok, but to some extent it has reassured me. For starters, it gives us some actual information regarding his sexual transgressions that led to being suspended, and it's nothing that half of us haven't done ourselves. The fact that he was aware of the rumourmongering and took police reports along to his interviews as evidence that he was not at fault is a good thing. Once again, evidence that he hasn't been running wild out west.

I'm still not sold, but it's a good article which I find reassuring.

[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.

(Massive bump)

Was I wrong ?

Funnily enough, about 3 posts before the one I've quoted we have that oracle RPFC stating how Darling is too short. Some people just don't have a great grasp on footy.

But you're a funny guy, RP. #thumbs up#.

[Range Rover 1,935]

Would be rapt if we snaffle this guy at 12. Apart from his obvious talent he looks very competitive when the ball hits the deck. Like the touch of arrogance about him, too. A Jurrah, Watts, Darling full forward line would light up the MCG.

Take the punt if he's still there BP!

Bump.

[Hannabal 4]

Bump.

No disrespect, but post # 245 eats yours.

[Range Rover 1,935]

No disrespect, but post # 245 eats yours.

I'll see your post #245 and raise it a post #226 Hanners ...

But really credit should go to MrReims who summed the whole thread up beautifully with his opening post.

[Geddy Lee 582]

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?

Would like Jack Darling and James McDonald on our list right now, more so than a few of our current players!

[rhaz 342]

Shuey instead of Blease. Anyone? Oh no BP.

How could BP have foreseen Blease breaking his leg? Maybe if he hadn't he would've played 20 games by now.

More concerning is Strauss, when Ballantyne, Trengove (Port), Hannebery all went within the next 10 picks of him.

[bing181 9,194]

Shuey instead of Blease. Anyone? Oh no BP.

Blease has yet to play a game! I know it's hard in the current climate of slash and burn in regards to all things MFC, but let's just give him a season or two before we ask him to stand against the wall along with everyone else.

No problem with BP from me, or with not picking Darling. Drafting is informed crystal-ball-gazing, there'll always be wins and losses, and it's a much easier job than it looks with the benefit of hindsight.