Jack Darling

[Twodogs]

What do we think? Is it worth bringing him in. He is only 26, i thought he was older. Would he be half the player without Kennedy taking the best defender?



https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/06/06/report-bulldogs-keen-on-star-eagles-forward/

[1eyedog]

News is slow atm. Needs to play second fiddle so assume Naughton forward. We'd had to eat right into that war chest as well. Even with a gun forward in Kennedy Darling has a lot of nothing games. Still, he might except marginally more than what he's on to come over and shore up his super. I wouldn't pay massive massive coin for him. What would he be on now? 650k max?

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

What do we think? Is it worth bringing him in. He is only 26, i thought he was older. Would he be half the player without Kennedy taking the best defender?



https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/06/06/report-bulldogs-keen-on-star-eagles-forward/

Darling’s experience and strength would be ideal in our team desperate for key forwards. Hard to imagine why he would want to leave such a strong well performed Club. Our record on luring these type of players in the past hasn’t been great.

[Axe Man]

His best and worst are miles apart, just like the team - he will fit in perfectly!

Billy Gowers will appreciate another whipping boy to take some of the heat off as well!

[Mofra]

I honestly think there is a 1% chance of this happening.

Excellent player, unfairly maligned for 1 or 2 incidents, but a WA boy with a WA partner playing for WCE with a premiership list. By god we'd have to overpay handsomely.

[hujsh]

I'd take him in a heartbeat.

[Happy Days]

Darling is a stud but I’m gonna need a better source than Karl Langdon before I get too excited.

[1eyedog]

He's like 6'3 but moves like a 6'7 player He'll be shit in a bad forward line.

[Mofra]

He's like 6'3 but moves like a 6'7 player He'll be shit in a bad forward line.
He kicked 24 goals in his debut season in a team that won the wooden spoon the year before.

He is serious quality but I really don't think he's gettable, certainly not at a sensible price.

[bornadog]

All I can think of is this (https://www.afl.com.au/video/2016-09-08/darling-pulls-out-after-having-a-look)

[bulldogtragic]

They'd demand pick 5 or English. My two main memories of him are:

- shitting himself in the 2016 EF when Dunkley was near him
- dropping the easiest uncontested mark in the history of Grand Finals to kick a goal from 1 metre out to win the premiership last year and luckily it didn't cost them the flag. (Plus he did nothing in the GF outside of 15 minutes in the third.

So I'd keep Pick 5, English and the money.

[bornadog]

They'd demand pick 5 or English. My two main memories of him are:

- shitting himself in the 2016 EF when Dunkley was near him
- dropping the easiest uncontested mark in the history of Grand Finals to kick a goal from 1 metre out to win the premiership last year and luckily it didn't cost them the flag. (Plus he did nothing in the GF outside of 15 minutes in the third.

So I'd keep Pick 5, English and the money.

Me too.

[Mofra]

He's an RFA next year which may help anyone in trade negotiations.

At least (if the rumours are true) we're thinking big.

[bornadog]

He's an RFA next year which may help anyone in trade negotiations.

At least (if the rumours are true) we're thinking big.

Sounds like we are all out to snag some high profile players.

[bulldogtragic]

Sounds like we are all out to snag some high profile players.

That Power is going far and wide is undoubtedly good. My preference is not Darling, but to leave Naughton, Schache & Trengove forward as KPFs, and rebuild our defence with a couple of good KPDs, slot Cordy, Wood & Young as mobile enough third talls.

[Axe Man]

Sounds like we are all out to snag some high profile players.

We are going to be reported as chasing everyone with a pulse between now and the end of the trade period. Only 5% of it will likely have any substance.

I'm just waiting for us to be linked to Israel Folau.:rolleyes:

[bulldogtragic]

We are going to be reported as chasing everyone with a pulse between now and the end of the trade period. Only 5% of it will likely have any substance.

I'm just waiting for us to be linked to Israel Folau.:rolleyes:

Folau was 'pretty good' at GWS. A very versatile player, lightning speed with bulk and height. ARU & NRL won't have him. Surely we have to be linked to him. Sounds exactly the type of player we need........

[lemmon]

Really like him, but don't see why he'd leave and we'd be paying a lot for him.

Think there's nothing in this one.

[Twodogs]

i don't want to derail the thread but i think that the whole Folau thing has been a cunning plan to get him into the NFL sooner rather than later right from the outset. i don't think hes any chance of succeeding in the NFL but good luck to him with it.

[GVGjr]

He'd be a quality addition. I suspect we will see a number of names being linked with us before the trade period

[The Bulldogs Bite]

He'd be a quality addition. I suspect we will see a number of names being linked with us before the trade period

History suggests we won't land a big name - reality is not many of them actually leave and the ones that do typically go to the bigger clubs.

Whilst we should still go for who we want, I hope we are also being astute in plucking a few other lists. Suckling has been an excellent selection, ditto Crozier. If we can keep finding a few of these (ideally key defender/ruck) it'll help.

[1eyedog]

He kicked 24 goals in his debut season in a team that won the wooden spoon the year before.

He is serious quality but I really don't think he's gettable, certainly not at a sensible price.

Meh - he did burst onto the scene but was a long time ago, he's good but not great. Good mark for his size, decent set shot. Very ordinary below his knees and not overly quick, even lumbering. He's a natural but traditional forward and we need a player like that but like you I can't see him giving up on everything the West offers both on and off the field.

I'm ok with that because he's not the type of player I'd get fixated on. Still better to spend the money on him than the likes of Issac Smith.

[GVGjr]

History suggests we won't land a big name - reality is not many of them actually leave and the ones that do typically go to the bigger clubs.

Whilst we should still go for who we want, I hope we are also being astute in plucking a few other lists. Suckling has been an excellent selection, ditto Crozier. If we can keep finding a few of these (ideally key defender/ruck) it'll help.

Landing a big name would be great for the club in a lot of ways but I don't mind the option of bringing in players like Crozier and Suckling either assuming we miss on the real bigger names

[Rocket Science]

Fine, be proactive behind the scenes but can we avoid challenging for Norf's desperate and dateless mantle please. The list of who we won't throw a line at will be shorter than the list of blokes we will by year's end.

Darling's better than anything we have up forward at the minute and a perfect second fiddle in a high quality outfit.

He'd be a complete disaster in ours.

[1eyedog]

Fine, be proactive behind the scenes but can we avoid challenging for Norf's desperate and dateless mantle please. The list of who we won't throw a line at will be shorter than the list of blokes we will by year's end.

Darling's better than anything we have up forward at the minute and a perfect second fiddle in a high quality outfit.

He'd be a complete disaster in ours.

I agree, but in saying that we do need to consider how to improve our list, and there's no doubt he would. We have to at some stage bite the bullet I suppose and start to fill our holes down forward. We will get better through the midfield as our list matures. In two years he'll be 28 and hopefully we have brought in more outside run and a good back. If Naughton can progress as a forward, we sort our shite out in the midfield and half back and Darling comes in, he may be productive for us.

Still, I'd rather we spend our money on Tomlinson who would be far more gettable, is younger and a bit cheaper and throw the sink at Astbury. I'm open to Martin as a small forward for the right price. Tomlinson, Astbury and Martin would be great acquisitions.

[Rocket Science]

I agree, but in saying that we do need to consider how to improve our list, and there's no doubt he would. We have to at some stage bite the bullet I suppose and start to fill our holes down forward. We will get better through the midfield as our list matures. In two years he'll be 28 and hopefully we have brought in more outside run and a good back. If Naughton can progress as a forward, we sort our shite out in the midfield and half back and Darling comes in, he may be productive for us.

Still, I'd rather we spend our money on Tomlinson who would be far more gettable, is younger and a bit cheaper and throw the sink at Astbury. I'm open to Martin as a small forward for the right price. Tomlinson, Astbury and Martin would be great acquisitions.

Sure, but where's that going to come from? The draft?

Darling's also doubly-buggered in our system because if he's not making hay up forward where else can you play him? Footscray, that's where.

If we're going to throw the kitchen sink at someone let's prioritise a high-energy small forward with quickness and an appetite for chasing. I'll take two of those thank you.

Failing that an athletic tall defender who can lock down on troublesome opposition bigs and hurt them going the other way. One of those will do nicely.

[hujsh]

Ideally we have players identified we think can thrive with us and our system who are maybe struggling in their current environment/role (in the Crozier mold) rather than just big name players but a big name player wouldn't hurt either.

[Mofra]

Ideally we have players identified we think can thrive with us and our system who are maybe struggling in their current environment/role (in the Crozier mold) rather than just big name players but a big name player wouldn't hurt either.
I wonder if we're looking at Adelaide.
We were linked to Josh Jenkins recently (whom I'm not excited about) but Hugh Greenwood seems like our cheap type of target.
Big body who can play forward and pinch hit in the midfield if need be.
190cm / 90kg and 27 as he was in the US playing basketball.

[hujsh]

I wonder if we're looking at Adelaide.
We were linked to Josh Jenkins recently (whom I'm not excited about) but Hugh Greenwood seems like our cheap type of target.
Big body who can play forward and pinch hit in the midfield if need be.
190cm / 90kg and 27 as he was in the US playing basketball.

Sounds like the kind of big bodied mid-tall forward we've missed without Stringer or Crameri.

[bornadog]

Failing that an athletic tall defender who can lock down on troublesome opposition bigs and hurt them going the other way. One of those will do nicely.

Darcy Moore

[1eyedog]

Sure, but where's that going to come from? The draft?

Darling's also doubly-buggered in our system because if he's not making hay up forward where else can you play him? Footscray, that's where.

If we're going to throw the kitchen sink at someone let's prioritise a high-energy small forward with quickness and an appetite for chasing. I'll take two of those thank you.

Failing that an athletic tall defender who can lock down on troublesome opposition bigs and hurt them going the other way. One of those will do nicely.

No we'll need to trade for one. Picks / players and fair coin it doesn't matter. I'm still inclined to go for Coniglio. We have the cash and while Norf and Aints do as well we'll finish below both of them so could offer a superior pick. If they're after players I'd consider McLean and Williams as the only two players with collateral. A trade period of Coniglio, Tomlinson and perhaps Martin would help us at each ends of the ground as well as the middle. I'd even go our possible pick 3 and Williams to Adelaide for their pick 1 and hand GWS pick 1 for Coniglio if it came to it and throw Coniglio a whole bunch of cash. Absolute jet.

[Axe Man]

No we'll need to trade for one. Picks / players and fair coin it doesn't matter. I'm still inclined to go for Coniglio. We have the cash and while Norf and Aints do as well we'll finish below both of them so could offer a superior pick. If they're after players I'd consider McLean and Williams as the only two players with collateral. A trade period of Coniglio, Tomlinson and perhaps Martin would help us at each ends of the ground as well as the middle. I'd even go our possible pick 3 and Williams to Adelaide for their pick 1 and hand GWS pick 1 for Coniglio if it came to it and throw Coniglio a whole bunch of cash. Absolute jet.

Coniglio is a free agent. A trade is possible if they match, but unlikely.

[Mofra]

Coniglio is a free agent. A trade is possible if they match, but unlikely.
They'll absolutely match and force a trade which will certainly net them more than the mid-teens pick band 1 compo would get them

[Axe Man]

They'll absolutely match and force a trade which will certainly net them more than the mid-teens pick band 1 compo would get them

Really? Hardly ever happens and they have to be able to fit the amount in their salary cap (although their cap pressure has eased with the departures last year).

[bulldogtragic]

Really? Hardly ever happens and they have to be able to fit the amount in their salary cap (although their cap pressure has eased with the departures last year).

True, but if Patton gets 'Scully traded', they should be alright you'd think after letting Shiel & Scully go last year. Hopefully they want to match it, because as a guess that may leave Tomlinson sitting unsigned for even longer. Which isn't a bad thing if we are trying to bring him over as rumoured.

[Rocket Science]

Darcy Moore

Sign me up, Bevo would love a player like Moore at his disposal. I hope he's partial to occasional ruck duty.

I just can't imagine the Pies would entertain letting Moore go unfortunately.

[Mofra]

Really? Hardly ever happens and they have to be able to fit the amount in their salary cap (although their cap pressure has eased with the departures last year).
That was the driving force behind their departures last year.

It doesn't have to happen formally either e.g. the Dangerfield trade.

[Mofra]

True, but if Patton gets 'Scully traded', they should be alright you'd think after letting Shiel & Scully go last year.
Patton to Hawthorn has been talked about for months, even before Roughy was dropped.

[bulldogtragic]

Patton to Hawthorn has been talked about for months, even before Roughy was dropped.

Makes one wonder how they took big contracts last year in Scully & Wingard, and rumoured Patton & Cognilio this year.

Besides Roughy going, they must be doing something else surely salary cap wise. Smith or others out maybe?

On Cogs, hopefully he stays and Tomlinson leaves to us.

[1eyedog]

Sign me up, Bevo would love a player like Moore at his disposal. I hope he's partial to occasional ruck duty.

I just can't imagine the Pies would entertain letting Moore go unfortunately.

We selected him inside the top 10 forcing the Pies to go early on him. Would love him.

[Axe Man]

Darcy Moore

Our medicos have had it too easy this year, let's get Moore in and make them earn their money.

Can't see it happening in a millions years but he would be ideal for us though.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Landing a big name would be great for the club in a lot of ways but I don't mind the option of bringing in players like Crozier and Suckling either assuming we miss on the real bigger names

Especially if we end up with a top 3-5 pick this year. Given how hard it is traditionally to trade in top talent, we might as well take the top picks when they come our way, and trade for role players like Crozier et al.

[FrediKanoute]

Sure, but where's that going to come from? The draft?

Darling's also doubly-buggered in our system because if he's not making hay up forward where else can you play him? Footscray, that's where.

If we're going to throw the kitchen sink at someone let's prioritise a high-energy small forward with quickness and an appetite for chasing. I'll take two of those thank you.

Failing that an athletic tall defender who can lock down on troublesome opposition bigs and hurt them going the other way. One of those will do nicely.

Didn't we trade one of those to Geelong last year?

[Rocket Science]

Didn't we trade one of those to Geelong last year?

Aye but we need one with a better attitude and a MUCH better leg.

[hujsh]

Yeah we have forwards who miss goals well and truly covered.

[SonofScray]

Irrational but, if chocolate jocks pull on the Tricolours, then I will walk away. I hate this bloke more than Shaun Higgins, Milne and Didak combined.

[G-Mo77]

Would cost the farm to pry him away. Not worth it.

[Remi Moses]

Yes from me , think he’s a great player . Can’t see it happening though
He shit himself ( lot of players have had those moments ) 3 years ago

[S Coast Simon]

To expensive for what he offers. If we are going big then start with Cameron from GWS and Andrews from Brisbane. They would slot in nicely at each end. We could do with a specialist small forward. I would entertain Puopulo as he would be cheap.

On Dalhaus he lost his drive with us so what were we meant to do. It was a no brainer, if you don’t want to play with us then off you go. He won’t be in The best 22 at Geelong soon. They were not expecting Gryan Miers (spelling) to be this good. Plus they have Narckle and Parfit and a couple more small guys that will be very good players. They will regret his contract size and length soon I feel

[Mofra]

On Dalhaus he lost his drive with us so what were we meant to do. It was a no brainer, if you don’t want to play with us then off you go. He won’t be in The best 22 at Geelong soon. They were not expecting Gryan Miers (spelling) to be this good. Plus they have Narckle and Parfit and a couple more small guys that will be very good players. They will regret his contract size and length soon I feel
Strangely, Narkle is one I view as outside Geelong best 22 right now and I'd hope we ask about him.

They also have Atkins (tackling beast, playing now and in the best 22) and Sam Menegola to fit into that forwardline. Narkle may seek greater opportunity.

[Bulldog4life]

No for me. Darling can be a bit hot and cold and at the wage he would command he is not worth it.

[Mofra]

No for me. Darling can be a bit hot and cold and at the wage he would command he is not worth it.
That's the rub - I think he is a super player but is he worth 20-30% more than Tom Boyd?

We could get a Tomlinson (if he is gettable) + Martin for not much more and it would cost us less at the trade table.

[Rocket Science]

Strangely, Narkle is one I view as outside Geelong best 22 right now and I'd hope we ask about him.

They also have Atkins (tackling beast, playing now and in the best 22) and Sam Menegola to fit into that forwardline. Narkle may seek greater opportunity.

Suspect they'll find room for Narkle, particularly if and when Kelly walks, but gee he's *exactly* the type we need to prioritise.

Plus how can you not want to barrack for a bloke named Narkle?

Make it happen Sam Power.

[Twodogs]

Suspect they'll find room for Narkle, particularly if and when Kelly walks, but gee he's *exactly* the type we need to prioritise.

Plus how can you not want to barrack for a bloke named Narkle?

Make it happen Sam Power.

Is he any relation to Phil Narkle? He was a bloody good player and his wiki page says his older brother also played in the WAFL so the family could have good footy genes.

Phil Narkle had the best helmet of all time. Bloody thing was like a weapon.

[The Doctor]

Jack Darling would be a perfect fit for us.

He is a multi skilled forward at the peak of his powers with many good years ahead of him. His style would complement Naughton perfectly and it wouldn't matter which one was rated the number 1 or 2 forward. its irrelevant they are skilful enough with enough footy smarts to work out how to work in tandem. The flexibility would have Bevo drooling as Naughton could also go back (if needed) and know we still have an A grade forward to kick to + there is also Schache to bring in.

Getting him to the club, well thats another story!

[The Adelaide Connection]

I would prefer we throw a Hail Mary whopping deal at Charlie Curnow than at Jack Darling.

One plays for a club that has a premiership list (in his own state) and one plays for a club that has a recent record that rivals Fitzroy's final years (when they were homeless, had no money and there list was pillaged by other clubs). You'd have to think Charlie is worth a shot.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

I'd prefer Aliir Aliir to Darling.

[Rocket Science]

Is he any relation to Phil Narkle? He was a bloody good player and his wiki page says his older brother also played in the WAFL so the family could have good footy genes.

Phil Narkle had the best helmet of all time. Bloody thing was like a weapon.

Apparently a distant relative of Phil's.

https://i.ibb.co/RhHC0Z6/phil-narkle.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

Looks like it was purpose-built for being fired out a cannon.

[Greystache]

I like the idea of Darling. If played where he plays best he could fill a gaping hole. I'd be all over that.

My concern on recruiting him is he has the potential to "play multiple roles" and I can see us throwing into the midfield and filling gaps in defence "when needed" and quickly become broken as a player who delivers little. So pass.

[Sedat]

Strangely, Narkle is one I view as outside Geelong best 22 right now and I'd hope we ask about him.

They also have Atkins (tackling beast, playing now and in the best 22) and Sam Menegola to fit into that forwardline. Narkle may seek greater opportunity.
And Cockatoo, if it can be proven he actually exists.

[Happy Days]

And Cockatoo, if it can be proven he actually exists.

I'd rather Narkle to be honest. Cockatoo has never shown he has the capability to do anything in the AFL other than be caught holding the ball.

[Remi Moses]

The gag on recruiting players and playing them everywhere is getting pretty stale .
Funny the first time

[Bulldog4life]

The gag on recruiting players and playing them everywhere is getting pretty stale .
Funny the first time

I agree. I find it very irritating to say the least.

[Greystache]

The gag on recruiting players and playing them everywhere is getting pretty stale .
Funny the first time

Hardly a gag but thanks for your feedback. Also there's a quote button to help you address people. Maybe Google for some help.

[Greystache]

I agree. I find it very irritating to say the least.

I'd really like to hear a bit more from Tradeguru69 and his great insights. Got anything again?!

[Sedat]

Darling is the perfect prototype key forward for the modern game. Strong in the air, nimble on the ground, and a proven consistent goalkicker over a long time. He has shat the bed a couple of times but most in the comp have done that before. He would make us far more potent in an area of concern, and is still young enough to make a difference to our next contending team.

Bold move but we should explore it.

[Bulldog4life]

I'd really like to hear a bit more from Tradeguru69 and his great insights. Got anything again?!

There is always a pain in the arse on any forum.

[Remi Moses]

Hardly a gag but thanks for your feedback. Also there's a quote button to help you address people. Maybe Google for some help.

Always the smartest person on the forum , aren’t we?
Smug alert

[Grantysghost]

Not sure it's been mentioned anywhere - so I'll do it, here. Harry Himmelberg looks like a really decent forward prospect. I've been very impressed with him in the GWS games I've watched this season. I'd be interested in us exploring an acquisition, to be fair I have no idea of his current contract status.

Edit : Just checked he is contracted until 2023.

Re Darling you would have to explore this option. He's a young tall with proven performance on the board. As long as we don't have to pay the sh1t tax. (sh1t tax is the 25% overs teams like WB, Norf, Stk have to pay to lure players ;))

[bulldogtragic]

Not sure it's been mentioned anywhere - so I'll do it, here. Harry Himmelberg looks like a really decent forward prospect. I've been very impressed with him in the GWS games I've watched this season. I'd be interested in us exploring an acquisition, to be fair I have no idea of his current contract status.

Edit : Just checked he is contracted until 2023.

Re Darling you would have to explore this option. He's a young tall with proven performance on the board. As long as we don't have to pay the sh1t tax. (sh1t tax is the 25% overs teams like WB, Norf, Stk have to pay to lure players ;))

Yep, Himmelberg signed a four year extension this year. With our midfield, I think we'd destroy Darling's soul by this time next year.

[Ozza]

Yep, Himmelberg signed a four year extension this year. With our midfield, I think we'd destroy Darling's soul by this time next year.

I don't particularly agree with this. This year, finding targets inside 50 hasn't been a huge issue. I don't have the stats on hand, but think I saw that we were right up there in terms of marks inside 50.

But back to Darling, I find it hard to believe that anyone would be turning their noses up about him. Darling is a gun. People are pointing towards his dodgy effort in the elimination final against us, but are conveniently ignoring that he has absolutely torched us every time we have played them since (and prior for that matter).

I'd imagine he would be extremely difficult to get.

[bornadog]

I don't particularly agree with this. This year, finding targets inside 50 hasn't been a huge issue. I don't have the stats on hand, but think I saw that we were right up there in terms of marks inside 50.

I'd imagine he would be extremely difficult to get.

2nd in the AFL - pre the bye - we are just bad convertors.

I can't see him coming to us, so I have no real comment.

[Twodogs]

Not sure it's been mentioned anywhere - so I'll do it, here. Harry Himmelberg looks like a really decent forward prospect. I've been very impressed with him in the GWS games I've watched this season. I'd be interested in us exploring an acquisition, to be fair I have no idea of his current contract status.

Edit : Just checked he is contracted until 2023.

Re Darling you would have to explore this option. He's a young tall with proven performance on the board. As long as we don't have to pay the sh1t tax. (sh1t tax is the 25% overs teams like WB, Norf, Stk have to pay to lure players ;))

Technically it would be a shit premium, isn't it?


I dint realuse that Darling was only 26 before this talk came up. that's prime of career territory. He'd be insane to leave West Coast and come to us. But on the off chance he really felt like going way outside of his comfort zone and then found himself blind drunk in Barkly street on the West Coast end of season trip to West Footscray (there was a mix up at the travel agent) in the middle of the trade period and then thinks to himself "I think I might sign with the bulldogs" and his manager doesn't find out beforehand.


If all of that happened or he somehow signed with us in a less likely set of circumstances then I'd be keen.

[Jam Donuts]

I reckon we could rotate him through the middle, says Bevo

[GVGjr]

I doubt we could land Darling but he'd be an excellent addition

More than capable of kicking 40 plus goals for us

[Danjul]

I doubt we could land Darling but he'd be an excellent addition

More than capable of kicking 40 plus goals for us

my preference would be to go all out to get a ruckman who can keep control of the momentum in a game.

English can’t and won’t for a couple of years. And he could kick 40 goals from CHF.

Not treating the ruck seriously has been a very significant factor in the team’s decline over last few years.

[Bullies]

WC if they go after Kelly will need to free up the cash which is why Darling has been thrown up. He will be gettable if Kelly picks WC as his go to club but will cost and we will be paying well over the odds.

[bornadog]

WC if they go after Kelly will need to free up the cash which is why Darling has been thrown up. He will be gettable if Kelly picks WC as his go to club but will cost and we will be paying well over the odds.

Forgetting the money, is he worth chasing in your opinion.

[Axe Man]

WC if they go after Kelly will need to free up the cash which is why Darling has been thrown up. He will be gettable if Kelly picks WC as his go to club but will cost and we will be paying well over the odds.

In that scenario West Coast will also need our first round draft pick to send to Geelong for Kelly.

Maybe we can just convince Tim Kelly that we are west enough for him and nab him instead.

[The Underdog]

https://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-06-14/eagles-eager-to-extend-star-forwards-stay

So, looks like the Eagles and Darling are keen to extend. It’s almost like somebody’s management planted a story about another teams interest in their client to motivate a team to extend the contract of said client early, even though it still had a year to run.
At least that’s what I’d think if I were cynical.

[bulldogtragic]

https://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-06-14/eagles-eager-to-extend-star-forwards-stay

So, looks like the Eagles and Darling are keen to extend. It’s almost like somebody’s management planted a story about another teams interest in their client to motivate a team to extend the contract of said client early, even though it still had a year to run.
At least that’s what I’d think if I were cynical.

Darling was liking our social media too. Seems we are the club to drive up contracts of players who don’t want to play for us. Not even giving us a commission on the extra dollars.

[dukedog]

Was around in Perth before he was drafted. He is just another local boy who had no intentions of playing anywhere else. It's a different breed over there. There would have to be some over the top shit go down for him to leave.

[G-Mo77]

https://m.afl.com.au/news/2019-06-14/eagles-eager-to-extend-star-forwards-stay

So, looks like the Eagles and Darling are keen to extend. It’s almost like somebody’s management planted a story about another teams interest in their client to motivate a team to extend the contract of said client early, even though it still had a year to run.
At least that’s what I’d think if I were cynical.

No. That would never happen. :)

[mjp]

Was around in Perth before he was drafted. He is just another local boy who had no intentions of playing anywhere else. It's a different breed over there. There would have to be some over the top shit go down for him to leave.

Yet somehow people seem to think Coniglio is going to move from the Giants to a Victorian club, somehow Franklin moved from Melbourne to Sydney, somehow Mcgovern went from Adelaide to Melbourne...somehow a lot of stuff happens where PERTH boys move to Melbourne and are perfectly happy...if we want someone, we should go after them ‘cos there is going to be a cash squeeze at West Coast and they won’t be able to pay them all.

Weren’t Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli selected in the same draft as Tim Kelly? They are due big pay rises as well...

[dukedog]

Yet somehow people seem to think Coniglio is going to move from the Giants to a Victorian club, somehow Franklin moved from Melbourne to Sydney, somehow Mcgovern went from Adelaide to Melbourne...somehow a lot of stuff happens where PERTH boys move to Melbourne and are perfectly happy...if we want someone, we should go after them ‘cos there is going to be a cash squeeze at West Coast and they won’t be able to pay them all.

Weren’t Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli selected in the same draft as Tim Kelly? They are due big pay rises as well...

None of those players are jack darling. I'm commenting on jack darling specifically. Why do naming other players that have move relate to what I said about scaredy cat anyways?

[westbulldog]

Darling plays 3 very good games a year reminiscent of Neon Leon, we would pay totally overs for that, nowhere near worth it.

[mjp]

None of those players are jack darling. I'm commenting on jack darling specifically. Why do naming other players that have move relate to what I said about scaredy cat anyways?

Ummm...'cos you said '...He is just another local boy who had no intentions of playing anywhere else. It's a different breed over there....'

I reckon the words "ANOTHER local boy" and "It's a different breed" (I figure you meant "they're a different breed") pretty much meant you had broadened the net beyond Darling and were commenting on players from WA...

As for calling him a 'scaredy cat'...well, sorry. He's played a lot more games of AFL footy than I ever did and I'm pretty confident he's played a lot more than you as well. If you are referring to one moment in the 2015 grand final and judging a career by that, well...

A couple of weeks ago he kicked a bag of 6 against us and if you (or anyone else) don't thing he would make our side better, then you have an over-appreciation of our current group of forwards.

[mjp]

Darling plays 3 very good games a year reminiscent of Neon Leon, we would pay totally overs for that, nowhere near worth it.

I am not sure if this is fair.

Since 2011, he's played less than 20-games only once. So he's durable.
Since 2012, he's kicked less than 40-goals once (39 in 2014) when playing 20 games. In 2015 he played 15 games and kicked 26.18.
He averages pretty much 12 possessions per game against every single opposition club (15 vs us, 9 vs North - ironically, vs North he has played in 8-wins and just 2-losses).

He is SUPER consistent. What you get from him every single week is 12-touches, 3-marks ands 2-goals. That game a couple of weeks ago vs us was the first time he had kicked more than 4 in a game. He is a solid, consistent performer.

I'm sorry but I don't get the hate here...he is a good player who delivers equally no matter what the venue (though York Park is where his highest per game averages are!) and no matter the opposition.

How could going after Darling be seen as a negative in any way...

[The Underdog]

Yet somehow people seem to think Coniglio is going to move from the Giants to a Victorian club, somehow Franklin moved from Melbourne to Sydney, somehow Mcgovern went from Adelaide to Melbourne...somehow a lot of stuff happens where PERTH boys move to Melbourne and are perfectly happy...if we want someone, we should go after them ‘cos there is going to be a cash squeeze at West Coast and they won’t be able to pay them all.

Weren’t Liam Ryan and Willie Rioli selected in the same draft as Tim Kelly? They are due big pay rises as well...

I guess the only difference is that in all of those scenarios none were drafted to a Perth club and left WA. I struggle to think of many examples where that’s happened. It’s not impossible but pretty unlikely. I’d still be happy to throw a bunch of cash at any of those 3 and see if we could set a precedent.

[Twodogs]

I am not sure if this is fair.

Since 2011, he's played less than 20-games only once. So he's durable.
Since 2012, he's kicked less than 40-goals once (39 in 2014) when playing 20 games. In 2015 he played 15 games and kicked 26.18.
He averages pretty much 12 possessions per game against every single opposition club (15 vs us, 9 vs North - ironically, vs North he has played in 8-wins and just 2-losses).

He is SUPER consistent. What you get from him every single week is 12-touches, 3-marks ands 2-goals. That game a couple of weeks ago vs us was the first time he had kicked more than 4 in a game. He is a solid, consistent performer.

I'm sorry but I don't get the hate here...he is a good player who delivers equally no matter what the venue (though York Park is where his highest per game averages are!) and no matter the opposition.

How could going after Darling be seen as a negative in any way...


I'm not sure. The old footy adage of "never being able to have too many good players" comes to mind. If a recruit is going to come in and improve your team straight away than I fail to see how that's a bad thing.

[Danjul]

He is SUPER consistent. What you get from him every single week is 12-touches, 3-marks ands 2-goals.

How could going after Darling be seen as a negative in any way...

Schache’s averages with the Dogs last year: 12-touches, 4-marks ands 1.5 goals.

And he is running around in the reserves ?????

Is the problem who we play or how we play them?

[Rocket Science]

Whatever's Darling's output he benefits enormously from being second fiddle and having a skilled midfield stuffing it down his throat.

He'd enjoy neither with us.

On paper he's still more credentialed than anything we can boast right now but that hardly means he'd succeed in our setup.

[Mofra]

Schache’s averages with the Dogs last year: 12-touches, 4-marks ands 1.5 goals.

And he is running around in the reserves ?????

Is the problem who we play or how we play them?
Schache was terrible for two weeks prior to being dropped. Selection should be earned, not granted

[G-Mo77]

Schache was terrible for two weeks prior to being dropped. Selection should be earned, not granted

Problem being once you're down it's getting more difficult to get back up. There are quite a few who've been dropped for poor form, perform at VFL level and hardly sited again. Fetch, Lew Young, Schache.

[Danjul]

Schache was terrible for two weeks prior to being dropped. Selection should be earned, not granted

Schache saved the Dog’s year by winning the game against the Hawks.

15 possessions, 5 marks and 4 goals. Without that contribution (better than many of Darling’s) we might be looking at the wooden spoon.

The guy has talent. The club doesn’t have anyone who can develop talent.

[Happy Days]

Schache saved the Dog’s year by winning the game against the Hawks.

15 possessions, 5 marks and 4 goals. Without that contribution (better than many of Darling’s) we might be looking at the wooden spoon.

The guy has talent. The club doesn’t have anyone who can develop talent.

You're right. Because Schache played one good game 10 weeks ago we shouldn't go after Darling.

[Danjul]

You're right. Because Schache played one good game 10 weeks ago we shouldn't go after Darling.

you are correct. I don’t see our major problem as being CHF.

The dramatic decline in the club’s performance has been caused by the bizarre manipulation of the ruck, and fixing that should be number one priority. We have rarely seen a hitout to advantage in the last three years.

who wasn’t stunned when we recruited Cloke only to have him running around in the ruck so much. Look at the players who have not reached their potential and see if they have been in the ruck. Personally I was surprised to see Roughead taken from the backline and remoulded as a ruckman where his best performances can only be described as fair.

English might become a good ruckman but he is nowhere near that yet. He should be playing as an agile tall forward and supporting the number one ruckman (who we don’t have).

The last time we had a dominant ruckman handing control to the onballers was Campbell beating Goldstein a few years ago. And that got him dropped. Now we have evolved to the point where two games ago Goldstein destroyed us.

This has been the critical problem for years and any other focus is simply a distraction.

[Happy Days]

you are correct. I don’t see our major problem as being CHF.

The dramatic decline in the club’s performance has been caused by the bizarre manipulation of the ruck, and fixing that should be number one priority. We have rarely seen a hitout to advantage in the last three years.

who wasn’t stunned when we recruited Cloke only to have him running around in the ruck so much. Look at the players who have not reached their potential and see if they have been in the ruck. Personally I was surprised to see Roughead taken from the backline and remoulded as a ruckman where his best performances can only be described as fair.

English might become a good ruckman but he is nowhere near that yet. He should be playing as an agile tall forward and supporting the number one ruckman (who we don’t have).

The last time we had a dominant ruckman handing control to the onballers was Campbell beating Goldstein a few years ago. And that got him dropped. Now we have evolved to the point where two games ago Goldstein destroyed us.

This has been the critical problem for years and any other focus is simply a distraction.

You're right about our ruck situation being dire, but Darling would be our best forward and our second best player if we got him over. It's illogical to mount an argument that Darling wouldn't be a tremendous acquisition because other areas need attention.

[Danjul]

You're right about our ruck situation being dire, but Darling would be our best forward and our second best player if we got him over. It's illogical to mount an argument that Darling wouldn't be a tremendous acquisition because other areas need attention.

Can we afford both? I don’t believe so. That means prioritising, and for me the ruck disaster is going to prevent the club climbing the ladder in any significant way.

[Mofra]

Can we afford both? I don’t believe so. That means prioritising, and for me the ruck disaster is going to prevent the club climbing the ladder in any significant way.
We should pick up an older ruck with a year or two left but they should be cheap and not stop us from adding some real quality forward of the ball

[jeemak]

Can we afford both? I don’t believe so. That means prioritising, and for me the ruck disaster is going to prevent the club climbing the ladder in any significant way.

Why can't we afford to try and fix our forward line and our ruck situation at the same time? Why can't we also try and improve our defence as well?

[Danjul]

Why can't we afford to try and fix our forward line and our ruck situation at the same time? Why can't we also try and improve our defence as well?

I have read here that we probably can’t afford Darling. How can we get him and a ruckman and a champion backman?

[hujsh]

Can we afford both? I don’t believe so. That means prioritising, and for me the ruck disaster is going to prevent the club climbing the ladder in any significant way.

In terms of salary we can for sure. Trades would depend on the players/situation. Unless they're a free agent

[jeemak]

I have read here that we probably can’t afford Darling. How can we get him and a ruckman and a champion backman?

We can afford Darling, I think the questions have been more along the lines of will we get value for money given the likely premium you'd have to pay to prise him away from WCE. No doubt he would make our forward line better, but we need to weigh up the cost versus who we may be able to secure and how our listed players like Schache might develop.

It's unlikely we'll land a champion defender, ruck or forward, not many of them move. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't try, and failing actually landing one, have a contingency strategy for incremental improvement.

[bornadog]

Whatever's Darling's output he benefits enormously from being second fiddle and having a skilled midfield stuffing it down his throat.

He'd enjoy neither with us.

Don't agree with that. We are top three for inside 50's, and marks inside 50. He would have plenty of opportunities to kick goals. JUst have to be accurate, which I believe Darling is.

[ledge]

Hasn’t Darling just said he will stay with WC ?