General News
6 October, 2021
Darcy claims first Doig Medal
COBDEN export Sean Darcy’s rise to the AFL’s elite continued over the weekend.
COBDEN export Sean Darcy’s rise to the AFL’s elite continued over the weekend.
The former Bomber won his first Doig Medal as Fremantle’s best and fairest in his fourth season at the club.
Darcy polled 222 votes to win ahead of midfielders David Mundy (207) and Andrew Brayshaw (186).
The 23 year-old’s win comes in the same season he earned his first All-Australian selection.
He averaged 16.6 disposals and 28.5 hitouts per game and kicked 12 goals from 21 matches.
“It (winning the Doig Medal) still hasn’t sunk in at the moment,” Darcy said.
“I really didn’t think I was going to get up, I thought David Mundy had it for sure so I’m a bit embarrassed to be up here.
“He was an unbelievable player this year. It’s a bit weird but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
“It’s been a crazy ride so far moving from Cobden over in Victoria to here, it’s been a great ride so far and like Andy Brayshaw said earlier, a premiership is the goal, we won’t rest until we get there.”
Still in the infancy of his career, Darcy, who re-signed until the end of 2024 earlier this year, is eager to improve a number of aspects of his game leading into 2022.
“First of all my fitness, we have a time trial and I want to come back in really good shape, I want to lose a couple of kilos and get a bit leaner,” he said.
“My goalkicking, I thought that tailed off in the last six to seven weeks. I was a bit inconsistent with that, so I need to get that back on track.
“My marking, I thought was inconsistent, tackling as well. I think everything in my game I can improve on.”
In his acceptance speech, Darcy paid tribute to his team-mates, coaches and family for their support, and acknowledged the fans following Freo’s journey.
Darcy’s win follows the victory of fellow Cobden export Zach Merrett in Essendon’s Crichton Medal.
Another former Bomber Ben Cunnington also performed well in North Melbourne’s best and fairest.
The 30 year-old finished second in the Syd Barker Medal behind team-mate Jye Simpkin despite missing the final four games of the season.
Cunnington missed those games due to the removal of a testicular tumour, but he said he had been overwhelmed by the support shown during his recovery.
“You think you’re a bit more alone, but everyone from the top of the club to the fans stuck at home, it (their support) has been huge,” he said.
“Just to have that support from the club, the players and my beautiful family, I couldn’t have done it without them.
“It helps me smile and makes me want to continue playing for this great club.
“It means more than I’ve ever thought.”
Meanwhile, ex-Timboon Demon Luke Thompson helped Woodville-West Torrens win back-to-back SANFL premierships on Saturday.
The Port Campbell local was captain of the victorious team, which defeated Glenelg by 67 points.