‘Freak’ Darcy ready to lift Bulldogs into top eight
Shayne Hope |
Western Bulldogs “freak” Sam Darcy’s return from injury has inspired teammates as they attempt to lay the building blocks for an AFL finals charge.
Darcy went down with what was initially feared to be a season-ending knee injury in round six, but ultimately avoided surgery and was back within eight weeks.
The 21-year-old spearhead was best afield in his comeback match, kicking 3.2 from 19 disposals in a 72-point thumping of St Kilda last round.
He again shapes as a potential matchwinner when the Bulldogs host Richmond at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
“It wasn’t too long ago that we thought he was done for the year, but remarkably he was back,” Bulldogs forward Rhylee West told AAP.
“He’s a freak. He trained so hard in his rehab and put in all the work.
“It looks like he hasn’t missed a week of footy.
“You put it to him and sometimes it’s not to his advantage, but he moves and clunks it anyway.
“He’s a special player and we just want him to keep building and kick a few more goals for us.”
Darcy, who kicked 14 goals in his first five games this season, will likely attract attention from Richmond full-back Noah Balta as the Bulldogs attempt to overpower another lower-ranked opponent.
Like St Kilda last week, the lowly Tigers (3-10) are coming off the bye, which West said would not affect the Dogs’ approach.
Adem Yze’s men have won just once in the past two months, in a narrow escape against bottom side West Coast.
Another Bulldogs (7-6) victory would lift them into the top eight at the expense of GWS or Gold Coast, who meet at Engie Stadium.
“You can look at Richmond two ways, but I think they’re a really impressive team,” West said.
“You don’t take any team lightly in the AFL and it’s that mindset where anyone can beat anyone.”
Following Darcy’s comeback, the Bulldogs received further good news this week when troubled star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan returned to the club.
Ugle-Hagan resumed training after taking a leave of absence in April, with an eye towards a possible comeback through the VFL.
The 23-year-old’s return came just days after the club announced a new two-year contract extension for coach Luke Beveridge.
“Bevo’s been coaching as well as he ever has in my time at the footy club,” said West, drafted as a father-son selection in 2018.
“He’s really putting the trust in all our players and giving us confidence to go out there and play our games.
“(The contract) is really well deserved and it’s good to have him on for another two years.
“We don’t have to have that mumbling in the background anymore.
“We can just focus on the second half of the year and see what we can do.”
The Dogs have called up Nick Coffield in place of Luke Cleary, while debutant Jasper Alger has replaced Kane McAuliffe (quad) in the Tigers’ side.
AAP
