At 22 years of age, Sean Darcy appears to have the building blocks in place to become one of the AFL’s most dominant rucks in the near future.

In a role where size and experience is key, Darcy can already hold his own against some of the game’s best.

In 2020 he ranked seventh for hitouts and hitouts to advantage despite playing 15 of a possible 17 games.

After an unlucky run with injuries throughout his four-year career, Darcy was pleased to play a career-high 15 games in 2020, including the final 13 games during a condensed fixture.

“I’ve been pretty bad in the past couple of years with injuries. I felt every time I was getting a run I would be struck down, so one of my goals was to stay fit, healthy and available,” Darcy said.

“I’m playing consistent footy without getting injured and the body’s been able to handle it. I’m pulling up really well after games.”

While Darcy has already slimmed down significantly since his arrival at Fremantle ahead of the 2017 season, he still plans to continue improving his fitness during his fifth pre-season.

He hopes it will mean he is more competitive all around the ground, not just in the ruck contest.

“I feel like I played my best footy when I’m following up and have that on the ground presence,” Darcy said.

“It gets you really going as a player and I think it helps the mids as well. That’s a big aim for me. If you’re exhausted the whole time you’re not going to follow up.

“I’m getting fitter and I think I’m running out games a little bit better, especially this year.

“That’s a goal for me this pre-season as well, building that fitness capacity.”