Fremantle have locked away a crucial cog in their line-up with ruckman Sean Darcy signing on for a further two seasons.
Darcy, who was originally contracted until 2022, is now locked in as a Freo Docker until at least the end of the 2024 season.
Playing in a role that is traditionally dominated by the most developed and experienced players, Darcy has been dominant as a 23-year-old in 2021, ranking in the top five for hitouts and hitouts to advantage.
He is also rated as ‘elite’ for ground ball gets, marks inside 50, scoring shots and score involvements.
A country Victorian, Darcy said he is committed to Fremantle and his new life in WA.
“We have a really good group going at the moment,” Darcy said.
“I’m really enjoying living over here and the Club. It’s a really good environment. I’ve bought a house here so I didn’t feel like I was moving any time soon.”
Taken at no.37 in the 2016 National Draft, Darcy has enjoyed developing alongside the 2016 crop - a group of four players who have all shown incredible promise at AFL level in Griffin Logue (no.8), Brennan Cox (no.41) and All Australian Luke Ryan (no.66).
“I’ve played alongside guys like Luke, Coxy and Griff who are all my age. We’ve come through together which is a lot of fun and I feel we’ve got a lot of potential,” Darcy said.
“Our mids are really going with Caleb Serong, Cez (Adam Cerra) and Andy (Brayshaw) and with the older heads of Nathan (Fyfe) and Barra (David Mundy) helping us. Our forwards and backs are also really young with guys like Josh Treacy, who is only 18.”
Fremantle head of player personnel David Walls echoed Darcy’s thoughts on Fremantle’s up-and-coming midfield.
“You look at the midfield; Sean’s only just turned 23, and at times in the centre square you’ve got Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra, who are both 21, and Caleb, who’s just turned 20. It’s just an incredibly young midfield that’s stood up really well,” Walls said.
“What they’re doing for their age is remarkable. They’re building that synergy, learning to play together and getting the cohesion between them all.
“We’re really lucky that they’ve had Nat and David going through there. To have those guys passing their experience on has been huge for their development and fast tracking them as well.”
Walls credited Darcy for the work he’s put in to develop a body and skillset that can compete with the AFL’s best rucks.
“He’s worked incredibly hard, transformed his body and got himself AFL conditioned,” Walls said.
“He’s played a lot of footy for the past two years and we’re seeing him improve his game week on week now.
“Sean was contracted for 2022 but we’re looking long term and we have the trust in Sean and he’s got real faith in where the Club’s going.
“He wants to be a part of it and we’re thrilled to extend him out until he’s at least 26.”
Switta commits!
Treacy's new deal
Fixture v Collingwood confirmed
Gallery: Main training 23 June
