Darcy Tucker is embracing a return to a the half-back role he excelled in during his draft year back in 2015.

It was a year that saw him earn U18 All Australian honours before being drafted to Fremantle at no.27.

After returning from a significant hamstring injury sustained in 2020, where he tore his hamstring from the bone, Tucker is now playing at half-back for the first time at AFL level.

“It’s a new role for me and I (hadn’t) played it (before) at AFL level,” Tucker said.

“It’s going to take time each week but I feel more comfortable there each week.

“It’s a bit different now at AFL level compared to juniors but I’m enjoying it down there. We’ve got a good backline group so it’s all about getting continuity together and building towards some good football together.”

Thanks to Tucker’s versatility as a player, and to Fremantle’s midfield depth, Tucker was approached by senior coach Justin Longmuir to play a new role during the pre-season.

“I missed a lot of the pre-season due to hamstring injuries and was training with the midfield,” Tucker said.

 “Then JL asked me if I’d like a half-back role and add it to my game and add another string to my bow which I was excited about.

“I played my under-18s there and got drafted as a half-back so I know I can play some good footy there.

“Matthew Boyd is our backline coach so I’ve been trying to feed and learn off him and get better each week.”

Tucker said it was tough to watch on from the sidelines after injuring his hamstring in round 8 against Geelong in 2020 and not returning until round 7 of the 2021 season.

“It was a tough year,” Tucker said.

“It was hard for me mentally being out but I had a great support network around me.

“It took me a bit of time but I’m feeling fitter every single week and have great confidence in my body.

“I feel like I’m as fit as I’ve ever been despite the injuries I’ve had over the past year.

“I hate watching footy when I want to be out there but it was good to watch the team play some good footy towards the back end of last year.”

Tucker said the midfield battle will be crucial against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday at Optus Stadium.

“We think when we play our way consistently for four quarters, it gets the job done against any team,” Tucker said.

“Bulldogs are one of the best in the league at moving the footy so we need to slow them down.

“They’ve got a very good spread of midfielders so we’ll look to stop them all and stop their ball movement.

“There’s a bit of focus on the Dogs but we’re focusing on ourselves as well.”

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