2025 Draft Watch

[Grantysghost]

I really don't understand the fuss about Will Darcy. I saw him play a couple of times this year and was quite underwhelmed. Yes, I fully understand the romance and also his brother's trajectory, but he's never been the player Sam was at junior level, nor his size. Without the name Darcy, he wouldn't be on a Coates list, let alone invited to a Combine.

Having said that, our list management and development team have followed him as a father son for years, and if they see potential, they know more then me. But from what I've seen, a rookie at best.

Yep - there's always a shit brother. Not saying that's the case, but the name alone shouldn't warrant inclusion.

[Bornadog]

Yep - there's always a shit brother. Not saying that's the case, but the name alone shouldn't warrant inclusion.

Are we just hiding him at this stage? What I have seen of him, he is very slight compared to Sam at the same age and may need a few years to fill out anbd be able to play senior football.

[Willow18]

Code sport have just dropped a top 100 lol

[GVGjr]

Are we just hiding him at this stage? What I have seen of him, he is very slight compared to Sam at the same age and may need a few years to fill out anbd be able to play senior football.

Does that still happen?
Maybe at some footy leagues around Geelong and state leagues with some slightly older players but that has to be harder to do with School, Coates and Colts League football.

Even suggesting that we have asked him not to perform to his ability is unlikely given he got an invite to the National Combine.
A few teams are watching him with interest and aren't scared by making a longer term investment..

[jazzadogs]

I'm not saying it's a genuine consideration, but would we consider taking Will just to maintain the relationship with Luke and Sam?

If true that other clubs are rating him 30-40, and we rate him as a rookie... That's a big gap. Will be interesting to see what we do.

[Sedat]

I'm not saying it's a genuine consideration, but would we consider taking Will just to maintain the relationship with Luke and Sam?

Damn, we should have rookied Kyle Dunkley. Every thoroughbred needs a good stable pony.

[GVGjr]

This is the write up on Will Darcy on Code Sports

The Western Bulldogs have another Darcy coming, and there is plenty of intrigue around Will, who received a national combine invite despite limited exposure in the elite talent pathways. The raw tall is not as highly touted as his older brother Sam was in his draft year, but recruiters can see his upside, given Sam was also a late developer after a massive growth spurt. Will has shot up about 15 centimetres since he was in the Oakleigh Chargers program as a 16-year-old. The son of Luke Darcy decided initially to focus on his schooling this year before re-joining the Chargers’ program in May, having caught the eye as a key defender at APS level. In his Coates Talent League debut he took a strong contested mark and kicked the sealing goal for a win against the Lions Academy. Darcy has also impressed behind the scenes with his dedication since returning to the Chargers, and his speed, tidy foot skills and clean hands below his knees draw similarities to his older brother. He had spent time playing as a key forward for Scotch College earlier in the year before shifting back.

2025 Coates League 41 ranking points, 6.2 disposals, 1.2 marks, 3.8 intercept possessions, 0.8 spoils, 1.4 tackles, 0.2 goals (5 games)

[Uninformed]

This is the write up on Will Darcy on Code Sports

The Western Bulldogs have another Darcy coming, and there is plenty of intrigue around Will, who received a national combine invite despite limited exposure in the elite talent pathways. The raw tall is not as highly touted as his older brother Sam was in his draft year, but recruiters can see his upside, given Sam was also a late developer after a massive growth spurt. Will has shot up about 15 centimetres since he was in the Oakleigh Chargers program as a 16-year-old. The son of Luke Darcy decided initially to focus on his schooling this year before re-joining the Chargers’ program in May, having caught the eye as a key defender at APS level. In his Coates Talent League debut he took a strong contested mark and kicked the sealing goal for a win against the Lions Academy. Darcy has also impressed behind the scenes with his dedication since returning to the Chargers, and his speed, tidy foot skills and clean hands below his knees draw similarities to his older brother. He had spent time playing as a key forward for Scotch College earlier in the year before shifting back.

2025 Coates League 41 ranking points, 6.2 disposals, 1.2 marks, 3.8 intercept possessions, 0.8 spoils, 1.4 tackles, 0.2 goals (5 games)

Would have to take him based on that and with the 'Darcy' potential.

[The_Bont]

Reading the Play have dropped their Phantom Draft (early as it is) and have us taking Farrow and matching a bid on Darcy at pick 32. Are we happy with these?

https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/2025/10/01/2025-afl-phantom-draft-version-1-0/

[GVGjr]

He looks like a pretty good player but I think we could do better.

[Willow18]

Such a funny draft. I don’t think there’s a chance I’ll be disappointed with whoever we pick up. I like Farrow, prefer Dovaston, was previously into NHH. The fact one of Cumming/Grlj/Lindsay falls to us as well is exciting.

[Uninformed]

I like the sound of Farrow. Anything Richards-like will do me!

Start at half back move to the middle like Ed when Libba hangs them up.

[Willow18]

Twomey suggested Josh Lindsay is now in that 10-15 range. He’s not one I’ve paid any attention too but is suppose to have a lethal left boot

[doggies ftw]

This is the write up on Will Darcy on Code Sports

The Western Bulldogs have another Darcy coming, and there is plenty of intrigue around Will, who received a national combine invite despite limited exposure in the elite talent pathways. The raw tall is not as highly touted as his older brother Sam was in his draft year, but recruiters can see his upside, given Sam was also a late developer after a massive growth spurt. Will has shot up about 15 centimetres since he was in the Oakleigh Chargers program as a 16-year-old. The son of Luke Darcy decided initially to focus on his schooling this year before re-joining the Chargers’ program in May, having caught the eye as a key defender at APS level. In his Coates Talent League debut he took a strong contested mark and kicked the sealing goal for a win against the Lions Academy. Darcy has also impressed behind the scenes with his dedication since returning to the Chargers, and his speed, tidy foot skills and clean hands below his knees draw similarities to his older brother. He had spent time playing as a key forward for Scotch College earlier in the year before shifting back.

2025 Coates League 41 ranking points, 6.2 disposals, 1.2 marks, 3.8 intercept possessions, 0.8 spoils, 1.4 tackles, 0.2 goals (5 games)

Didn’t do much in Coates but apparently was very impressive in the APS footy.

wed be crazy not to take him IMO, nothing to lose really, even if he goes a little earlier than we’d hope. Hes even further back than Sam was, but with his genes and Sam’s rate of improvement from his bottom age year to now who knows.

It’s irrelevant to me when people say “if he wasn’t a Darcy”, okay sure but he is and it counts for something IMO

[doggies ftw]

I like the sound of Farrow. Anything Richards-like will do me!

Start at half back move to the middle like Ed when Libba hangs them up.

Agree with this, like Farrow a lot and a Richards clone would be very welcomed!

Dovastan & Farrow are my favourites and looks like one should be available hopefully