After Sean Darcy’s continual rise on the field, the conversation has moved from the 23-year-old’s potential to comparing his current output to the AFL’s best rucks.
Chief football writer Mark Duffield kick-started the conversation in his The Sunday Times column, stating that Darcy was arguably Fremantle’s most important player.
“Ruckman Darcy is putting himself in the conversation for All-Australian honours,” Duffield wrote.
“He had 27 hit outs, 25 disposals, took nine marks and won five clearances. He has gone from promising to exceptional before our eyes in a matter of weeks.
“Right now he is probably Fremantle’s most important player, milestone man (Nat) Fyfe included.”
Darcy’s output against Hawthorn reached heights not commonly seen by Freo’s rucks and key position players.
Out of Fremantle players 200cm or taller, Darcy’s seven intercept marks ranked no.1 and his 25 disposals was the equal fifth-highest.
The 202cm big-man said he was pleased to get results after working so hard on his fitness.
“I thought last year my follow-up was down,” Darcy told The West Australian.
“Around the ground if you’re hunting and tackling and being present, it’s really good for the mids. So that’s been a big focus for me.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on footwork as well in contests. So when I’m receiving the ball, I’m not on the back foot. I’m moving through it.”
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