There are few people literally born to play AFL football but third generation star Sam Darcy is already a towering figure in the game.
Sam Darcy is set to make his own impact on the AFL after he was picked up in this week’s Draft.
Sam, who is following in the footsteps of Western Bulldogs greats, father Luke and grandfather David, is the third generation of Darcy to make the grade for the Melbourne club.
Watch the first round of the 2021 AFL Draft on Fox Footy and Kayo from 7pm EDT on Wednesday November 24. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Luke was a former Dogs captain and played 226 games while David played 133 games for the club between 1963-71.
The father-son rule saw the Bulldogs match the GWS Giants’ bid at pick two to secure Sam, who has long stood out.
After a massive growth spurt, Sam has grown to 204cm and developed quickly into an AFL- quality player after missing under-16s Vic Metro selection.
At that height, Sam immediately becomes one of the tallest players in the AFL, not too far off the AFL’s biggest giant in Collingwood’s Mason Cox at 211cm. New teammate Tim English also pips him by a centimetre.
Dogs fans may remember Sam as a tiny tot being carried in his famous father’s arms ahead of his 200th AFL game, but the youngster is anything but little these days. The scary thing is, the 18-year-old tall forward could still be growing.
According to Luke Darcy, Sam’s grandfather David — who passed away in 2020 — had long tipped him for big things. In a video posted on the Western Bulldogs’ social media accounts, Luke revealed just how highly David thought of Sam.
“He always saw something big in you,” Luke said. “Early days, he never used to talk me up, used to talk you up a whole heap. Were you aware of that? He used to pump you up behind the scenes.
“My old man, he’d never say a word but he’d tell everyone in the under 12s, ‘You’ve never seen a kid play like this’ and I’m like, ‘Just calm down’. He lost his filter second time around I think.”
Sam’s grandfather isn’t the only one who has big wraps on him. Before the draft, AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan said the youngster was “a unique talent”.
“He’s like the King boys. In the air, Max King, Ben King; he’s very special,” Sheehan said.
“The angles he comes from, he’s courageous under the ball and just about every spot you can take a mark he does it.
“He’s mobile and kicks the ball very, very well so he’s got all the hallmarks.
“It might take time, but Bulldogs supporters are getting an absolute beauty.”
Originally published as Sam Darcy used to be an AFL tiny tot, now he’s an absolute giant
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
