Growing up in the Geelong region, Sean Darcy has spent plenty of time on the other side of the fence at Simonds Stadium.
And as a product of the Geelong Falcons, the 19-year-old has played his fair share of football on the ground itself.
Now a Freo Docker, it’s only fitting that the 202cm ruckman makes his debut when Fremantle face Geelong on Sunday.
Alongside Darcy and fellow debutant Josh Deluca, Freo will field five players who have made their first AFL appearance in 2017, with the pair joining Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan in the lineup.
As a result, Freo will field their youngest 22 in 2017, with their average age dropping from 26.46 in round two - the third oldest in the AFL at that time - to 24.19 for this week’s clash.
Darcy has already impressed over 11 appearances at WAFL level for Peel.
As a lead ruckman, Darcy had racked up hitout totals of 42 and 49 in his past two appearances against two of the WAFL’s strongest sides in South Fremantle and Subiaco.
But the new draftee has also proven his potency up front as a dual ruck/forward. Darcy kicked six goals in the space of a fortnight for Peel, including a four-goal haul for against Swan Districts in round nine.
His performance and ability to prove his fitness base – adding muscle while losing kilos off his original draft weight of 110kg – earned Darcy a two year contract extension earlier this month, seeing him at the club until at least the end of the 2020 season.
The last box to tick in his draft year was to make his debut, with his selection confirmed on Friday morning just hours ahead of Freo’s flight to Geelong.
“I’m pretty excited but also a bit nervous. I was happy when Ross told me today, so it’s good news,” Dary said.
“(My WAFL form) has given me a bit of confidence but you can’t take too much out of it with the WAFL a lot tougher compared to the AFL,” Darcy said
“It’s a bit of a confidence boost but then again we’ll see how we go.”
Darcy grew up in South Purrumbete in Victoria’s south-west, Darcy attended a number of Geelong games as a fan, Darcy said he knows what to expect when running out onto the ground.”
“I’m sure it’s going to be differnet but I grew up in Geelong and have played a lot of footy there for the Geelong Falcons,” Darcy said.
“They’re not the friendliest crowd, they don’t like the opposition team too much but it’s all fun and games.”
“It will be great fun in the midfield. (Dangerfield and Selwood) are two very good players and we have good players on our end too, so it’ll be great.”
