Darcy Parish

[daisycutter 28,564]

I'm seeing Parish's pace being listed by many as a much needed strength despite his combine testing only being average. Based purely on the footage he appears more in the Jack Viney mould in that his outside run and carry speed is only fair but he has pretty good acceleration and his first 6 or 7 steps breaking away from stoppages is pretty handy. Can those who've seen him in the flesh comment on his speed?

i wouldn't compare him to viney. jones and viney are very much crash and bash, whereas parish has exquisite vision and very fast hands. he's very good at taking the first (and correct) option.

his decision making is very fast which is just as important as leg speed, but his leg speed over the critical first few metres looks good. no deer in headlights here.

[rpfc 27,476]

Size isn't a barrier if he wants it enough, if Goodwin has spent so much time with him this year and chatting to him, he must be able to get a read on whether he has that desire.

Just put us out of our misery and leak it Melbourne!

[Dwight Schrute 16,795]

Size isn't a barrier if he wants it enough, if Goodwin has spent so much time with him this year and chatting to him, he must be able to get a read on whether he has that desire.

Just put us out of our misery and leak it Melbourne!

I reckon we have indirectly, Jason Taylor has said we'd take best available at pick 3, i find it hard to consider Weiderman or Curnow as being better players right now outside of a more pressing positional need, Parish at this moment is the best player at that pick imo

[Goodvibes 3,596]

i wouldn't compare him to viney. jones and viney are very much crash and bash, whereas parish has exquisite vision and very fast hands. he's very good at taking the first (and correct) option.

his decision making is very fast which is just as important as leg speed, but his leg speed over the critical first few metres looks good. no deer in headlights here.

Agree with your thoughts regarding the importance of speed of mind. Parish seems to be elite in this area. My comparison to Viney only involved his pace and in particular his ability to accelerate out of congestion. Viney does this through sheer determination and Parish seems to read the situation and know when to back himself. Both seem pretty quick in their first 6 or 7 steps. But I've never seen Parish live, hence my question.

[Axis of Bob 10,228]

Agree with your thoughts regarding the importance of speed of mind. Parish seems to be elite in this area. My comparison to Viney only involved his pace and in particular his ability to accelerate out of congestion. Viney does this through sheer determination and Parish seems to read the situation and know when to back himself. Both seem pretty quick in their first 6 or 7 steps. But I've never seen Parish live, hence my question.

I think Viney has genuine pace and power in his first few steps, but I don't necessarily see that with Parish. Parish looked like he gets his space because he's already moving at the stoppage; I wonder if he's going to be able to do that at AFL level with the extra numbers and opposition size.

[daisycutter 28,564]

I think Viney has genuine pace and power in his first few steps, but I don't necessarily see that with Parish. Parish looked like he gets his space because he's already moving at the stoppage; I wonder if he's going to be able to do that at AFL level with the extra numbers and opposition size.

of course. that's the big question with all recruits, bob

can they step up and translate their strengths to afl level?

[Goodvibes 3,596]

I think Viney has genuine pace and power in his first few steps, but I don't necessarily see that with Parish. Parish looked like he gets his space because he's already moving at the stoppage; I wonder if he's going to be able to do that at AFL level with the extra numbers and opposition size.

He seems like a highly intelligent, natural footballer. And those types tend to adapt well but I can't shake a nagging doubt I have about his size/speed package. A well rounded midfielder (like I expect ANB to become) still has a place in the game but rarely do the elite mids that you hope emerge from the top of the draft succeed without size or pace. Mitchell might be an exception but he has amazing awareness and vision and is strong through the core. Edited November 21, 2015 by Goodvibes

[mo64 5,209]

I think Viney has genuine pace and power in his first few steps, but I don't necessarily see that with Parish. Parish looked like he gets his space because he's already moving at the stoppage; I wonder if he's going to be able to do that at AFL level with the extra numbers and opposition size.

A comparable player to Parish is Heppell. He was recruited as a lightly framed ball magnet, and has become an adept clearance player, because as you say, he's on the move at stoppages.

[Axis of Bob 10,228]

He seems like a highly intelligent, natural footballer. And those types tend to adapt well but I can't shake a nagging doubt I have about his size/speed package. A well rounded midfielder (like I expect ANB to become) still has a place in the game but rarely do the elite mids that you hope emerge from the top of the draft succeed without size or pace. Mitchell might be an exception but he has amazing awareness and vision and is strong through the core.

Same. I still think he'll be a good player but not what you'd be hoping for at with pick 3.

A comparable player to Parish is Heppell. He was recruited as a lightly framed ball magnet, and has become an adept clearance player, because as you say, he's on the move at stoppages.

Heppell is an excellent endurance athlete and is 189 cm. The frame is not what worries me, it's his running.

[daisycutter 28,564]

Same. I still think he'll be a good player but not what you'd be hoping for at with pick 3.

realistically, it is more like p5 or p6 (and that's in a supposedly weak draft)

[jnrmac 18,980]

A comparable player to Parish is Heppell. He was recruited as a lightly framed ball magnet, and has become an adept clearance player, because as you say, he's on the move at stoppages.

If he's like Heppell why would EFC be into him?

[jnrmac 18,980]

I reckon we have indirectly, Jason Taylor has said we'd take best available at pick 3, i find it hard to consider Weiderman or Curnow as being better players right now outside of a more pressing positional need, Parish at this moment is the best player at that pick imo

I always have to laugh at this comment. Best available now? or Best player in 2, 3 or 4 years? Every draft in retrospect is vastly different to the actual draft......

[Deetective Sgt. Taggert 380]

A comparable player to Parish is Heppell. He was recruited as a lightly framed ball magnet, and has become an adept clearance player, because as you say, he's on the move at stoppages.

Yeah that's my reading of it too, def reminds me of Heppell

[Glenn Molloy 494]

I think this deserves another look.

The thing is, if this is our 6, there may well be only two of them left by the time of pick 7 (or 10 if you prefer).

For example, if we take Parish at 3, Bummers take, say, Weideman & Curnow, Suns take Oliver, that leaves us Milera & Francis. Maybe they're good, but they're not the type of player we need & I'm not the only one who'd be surprised if we picked up either of them because no mock draft has us even considering them. So giving them two spaces in our top 6 seems odd?

On the other hand, we seem not to be looking at another potential tall-forward-second-ruck in Harry McKay. Or any mids other than Parish & Oliver, who will both be gone before pick 7/10. I hope they are looking a bit more broadly outside this 6.

There's no way the Bummers will take BOTH Curnow and Weidemann. They are desperate for mids, that's why they'd be peeved we jumped them at 3 because Parish is exactly what they need. I think one of Weidemann or Curnow will be available at 7 and we'll nab them. No idea which one I prefer at this point but I think we have to take Parish at 3.

[DeeSpencer 23,145]

If we do recruit Parish I can see him spending a lot of time at half back rotating in spurts on to a wing.

He'll build strength and stamina in time to play wing/midfield permanently but without a stand out factor it might take a while.

Just having another natural run and carry player with good skills will help the team a lot, it's just more about how good he can become and whether he's worth the early investment.

[Mach5 4,482]

I'm seeing Parish's pace being listed by many as a much needed strength despite his combine testing only being average. Based purely on the footage he appears more in the Jack Viney mould in that his outside run and carry speed is only fair but he has pretty good acceleration and his first 6 or 7 steps breaking away from stoppages is pretty handy. Can those who've seen him in the flesh comment on his speed?

I think you're bang on, although he does sometimes find himself running into 50 in a lot of space and always seems to have a lot of time, giving the illusion that he is fast.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Parish is the type we need, Oliver, whilst he looks good, is the type we already have (reminds me a little of Vanders and Viney)

Parish makes sense.

I'm thinking its Parish at 3 and the best tall forward left at 7, or the best tall available at 3 and the best of the smaller types at 7. Either combination fills two gaps on the list, and I'd be happy with either. It won't be two mids because it's been proven season after season that apart from drafting, it's harder to attract tall forwards (in trades) than it is mids, and Jesse still needs a mate. Pedersen/Dawes are stop gap types who won't be around for long and the time is now to get a fresh faced forward.

[Akum 2,660]

I think you're bang on, although he does sometimes find himself running into 50 in a lot of space and always seems to have a lot of time, giving the illusion that he is fast.

I think he's good at finding space in traffic too. If that's not speed or agility, it's just knowing where to run to - again, the best comparison is with Sam Mitchell, not quick or agile, just knows where to go. He also seems to have a good sense of when he's about to be tackled and has to unload, and when he's got a bit of space and can run it out of congestion.

[jacey 333]

I think he's good at finding space in traffic too. If that's not speed or agility, it's just knowing where to run to - again, the best comparison is with Sam Mitchell, not quick or agile, just knows where to go. He also seems to have a good sense of when he's about to be tackled and has to unload, and when he's got a bit of space and can run it out of congestion.

Anyone who is small and slow gets the Sam Mitchell tag.

Sam is a freak and while he succeeded, hundreds with Sam's physique have failed.

Red flags everywhere.

[Rolling Stone 107]

Darcy Parish is a teenage Selwood ready to go

[Whispering_Jack 27,996]

Parish might not test elite class for pace but he's quick. By that I mean everything he does is in super quick mode; his reactions, his thought processes and his decision making. They're all uncanny and instinctively move him to where the ball is so he appears to have more pace than he actually possesses (but he's not slow over the ground anyway). He's a footballer and my only reservation is whether he can bring that package with him into the AFL game. Toumpas who was a different type in many ways, couldn't bring his particular game to AFL level and before him, the same could be said of Blease.

[daisycutter 28,564]

Darcy Parish is a teenage Selwood ready to go

you do realise that was all quotes from mick turner don't you?

mick does this hyperbole every year for the falcon boys

[Dwight Schrute 16,795]

I always have to laugh at this comment. Best available now? or Best player in 2, 3 or 4 years? Every draft in retrospect is vastly different to the actual draft......

Exactly why having a laugh at that term is a bit silly, it ultimately is a lottery, best available to me is the best player based on exposed form and information regardless of positional needs.

when you look at Parish you see a guy who's been consistently good over a long period of time, resulting in two All Australian selections and has shown plenty to suggest he'll be a very good AFL player and is a low risk choice at that selection hence best available option.

Sam Weiderman or Charlie Curnow might well be seen as better players in 5 years time, but both could potentially also be flops, curnows had injuries and now a pretty big error of judgement off field and Weiderman has had a very serious injury, so both are risks on that alone, plus on exposed form having seem all three live i am not of the opinion they're as good as Parish as a player for the here and now.

[Lord Travis 10,167]

Can't wait to see this kid in red and blue. He gets to the right spots, delivers it well to leading forwards, reads taps really well and has clean hands in congestion. He's such a well rounded midfielder, one of the best outside/inside mids in the draft and a really driven competitor. I love that he's known as one of the best slegders too, shows he has real confidence and attitude.

He'll be taken at pick 3. His supposed smaller size is a non issue. In 1-2 years time he'll be 80+kgs and be the same size as Selwood, Ablett, Sam Mitchell, Boak, Robbie Gray, Nathan Jones etc. Hasn't stopped them being superstars!

The only question left is who we will take at pick 7.
Suspect Curnow is on the outer after his drink/driving incident. Also unsure what he will become at AFL level. His stint in the midfield showed he'll never make it there, he's not clean or smart enough. He is too small for a KPF, so he winds up a chunky third tall?
Unsure how Weiderman tested the other day but he may be in calculation if the club believes they can manage his body right.
Oliver has too little exposed good form so hope we don't take him.
Francis is possibly the most talented but again what will he become? Third tall defender? He has shown a few good spurts through the midfield.
Milera looks the goods, but will he be able to adapt to having less time and more pressure on him? Will there be a go home factor?
McKay has huge potential, hasn't played the game as long and could become a superstar. If he was 6 days younger he'd be in next years draft and be talked about as Pick 1. Like Oliver though there isn't much good exposed form to judge from?

It will be interesting to see who we wind up with alongside Parish!

Edited November 21, 2015 by Lord Travis

[Cards13 9,117]

Isn't it amazing how much over analysis of players occurs now days. How many pages dedicated to a young man just out of childhood about to be thrust into the footy spotlight.

Hope Darcy can make a decent career out of this, the young country boy come good for the Dees hopefully.