West Perth/Sorrento-Duncraig JFC
WAFL
West Perth (2009-2013)
East Perth (2014-2018)
AFL
West Coast (2011-Present)
Jack Darling (born 13 June 1992) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). Additionally, he was recruited from West Perth in the WAFL with pick 26 in the 2010 AFL Draft.
Early life[]
Too young to enter the 2009 AFL Draft, he was predicted during the 2009 season to be a top-five draft pick, but some off-field incidents, including being suspended from his school and spending time in hospital following a fight at a nightclub, saw him slip to the first selection of the second round in the 2010 Draft.
AFL career[]
Darling made his AFL debut for West Coast against North Melbourne in round 1, 2011, kicking 2 goals.
In round 6, Darling was nominated for the 2011 AFL Rising Star after an impressive 3 goal display against Melbourne.
Darling was a part of West Coast's 2018 Premiership Side, which defeated Collingwood by 5 points in the 2018 Grand Final. He had a very quiet first half, failing to register a mark and having close to zero influence on the game. However, he turned that around in the third quarter and finished the game with 7 marks, 12 disposals and a goal, playing a pivotal role in helping West Coast achieve a remarkable comeback.
Career Highlights[]
- AFL premiership player: 2018
- 3x West Coast leading goalkicker: 2012, 2018, 2019
- All-Australian team: 2019
- 3× 22under22 team: 2012, 2013, 2014
- AFL Rising Star nominee: 2011