You would have been hard-pressed to find someone more excited when Sean Darcy became a Fremantle Docker with pick 38 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft.
Darcy, a big-bodied ruck prospect from the Geelong Falcons, could hardly contain himself as he spoke from his home with his parents and brothers by his side.
“I’m absolutely rapt, words can’t describe this feeling,” Darcy said.
“It’s what I’ve wanted since I was a little kid, for it to finally come true, it’s unbelievable. Oh my god I am so happy!”
Darcy was feeling on edge earlier in the night, going as far as watching the draft alone.
“I was just at home watching it with my family, but I was in a different room to my mum and dad and my brothers,” Darcy said.
“I was a bit nervous and didn’t really want to watch with them, but mum and dad are very happy now. Once I was selected I joined them straight away.”
Standing at 202cm tall, it would be hard for Darcy to look up to anyone, but the 18-year-old couldn’t go past a fellow ruck when naming his favourite Freo Docker.
“Obviously it’s got to be Aaron Sandilands,” Darcy said.
“He’s been the best ruckman in the last decade, but also Fyfe as well because he’s just unreal.
“All of them really, but if I went through them all we would be here for a long time!”
Described as intelligent with a huge amount of upside by Fremantle’s recruiters, Darcy also possesses terrific physical strength, with an imposing 110 kilogram frame.
In the TAC Cup with the Geelong Falcons, Darcy led the league by winning 71 per cent of ruck contests, with 32 per cent to advantage.
“I’m a tap ruckman with follow-up contested work around inside the contest” Darcy said.
“That’s probably where I work my best, in the air, in the tapping and then on the ground in the first two or three repeated efforts.
“To go as the second ruckman picked in the draft, it’s a huge confidence boost for me. Personally, that a club like Fremantle wanted to pick me, I’m just really happy.”
Fremantle’s recruiters watched Darcy closely in both the TAC Cup with Geelong and at the U18 Championships, where Darcy shone for Vic Country.
Their research into Darcy’s character went as far as a home visit to discuss a potential move to WA with him and his family, and Darcy said his flight to WA couldn’t come quickly enough.
‘I am just so excited for it, I’d go tonight if they wanted me to. I’ve got to pack my bags,” Darcy said.
“My mum and dad have been unreal for me as well as the Cobden footy club for the last 6 years and the Geelong Falcons over the last two years.
“My school footy, Xavier College, they’ve been great too. I’ve got a lot of people to thank. There are a lot of people that have played a part in where I’m going.”
