Darcy Byrne-Jones goes from zero to hero at Port Adelaide and into Rising Star contention
HE’S an unfashionable defender not quite as upfront as Kane Cornes, who once knocked on the door of his coach’s house demanding to know why he hadn’t been picked. But Darcy Byrne-Jones is just as determined.
HE’S the unfashionable Port Adelaide defender who isn’t quite as upfront as Kane Cornes, who once knocked on the front door of his coach’s house demanding to know why he hadn’t been picked.
But Darcy Byrne-Jones’ determination to play AFL is just as strong as the Power’s games record holder.
“He never demanded anything but last season he’d often come and see me and ask what it was that he needed to do to play in our AFL side,’’ coach Ken Hinkley told The Advertiser this week of his 2016 rookie revelation.
“He’s super competitive and really driven to play football at the highest level and he wanted to know how he could get his opportunity.
“His determination is one of his great strengths and he’s done what has been required to be a significant player in our team right now.’’
Byrne-Jones – selected at pick 52 at the 2013 national draft from Victorian TAC Cup side Oakleigh Chargers – spent two seasons refining his game in the SANFL where the once-skinny kid was solid rather than spectacular.
Given his long-awaited opportunity against Essendon in round three, Byrne-Jones has grabbed it with both hands to win the Round 10 Rising Star nomination – after Hinkley described his first eight games as “eight of the best first games you’ll ever see’’.
And Byrne-Jones has emerged as a genuine contender to win the AFL’s young player of the year award.
The 20-year-old has played 12 consecutive matches, averaged 17 disposals and 323 metres gained and had multiple goals kicked on him only once – two by Geelong’s Lincoln McCarthy in round five.
He kept Melbourne goal sneak Jeff Garlett goalless in Alice Springs.
Byrne-Jones’ Rising Star odds have been slashed dramatically from $251 two months ago to $21.
Hinkley believes his hard-as-nails, no-frills defender deserves to be one of the favourites and a strong chance to become the Power’s third winner, following Michael Wilson (1997) and Danyle Pearce (2006).
Byrne-Jones’ statistics stack up with favourites Christian Petracca (Melbourne) and Jacob Weitering (Carlton).
“You think about all the hype that goes on with the Rising Star, no one’s played better footy all year (than Byrne-Jones),’’ Hinkley said.
“I’ve watched a lot of footy this year and I might be a touch biased but to come out and play like he’s done has been terrific.
“He’s a late pick to get into the team and now he’s almost a lock in our first five picked.
“He’s a signficicant player in our team right now.
“He gets big match-ups, we look for the most damaging small forwards and say ‘Darc, your turn’, and he’s been able to get every one of them and along with (All-Australian contender) Jasper Pittard has been really strong for us.’’
Byrne-Jones, who has kicked more goals (three) than any other regular Power defender this year, has some intangibles that are hard to measure.
“His hardness around the contest and composure with the ball, well, I’ve never seen a first-year player with such strengths in those areas,’’ Cam O’Shea said of his Power defensive sidekick, who has put on 8kg of muscle since arriving at Alberton.
“Darcy’s been outstanding for a first-year player.
“He’s come into the team and got better every week and the boys just love the way he goes about it.’’
Hinkley says Byrne-Jones plays “Port Adelaide footy’’ and that even he has been surprised by his dramatic rise from SANFL battler to club cult hero.
“He’s one of those players that has quickly looked as good if not better at the next level,’’ he said of the kid from Camberwell.
“Some players take time to adjust to the next level up but Darc has got the mindset and the weapons that have enabled him to come in and make an immediate impact.’’
THE CONTENDERS
Round 1: Clayton Oliver (Melb) 10 games, 18.1 ave disposals, 64 ranking points
Has won 52 per cent of possessions contested - rated elite.
Round 2: Darcy Parish (Ess) 13 games, 20.5 ave disposals, 68 ranking points
Averaging 8.3 contested possessions, 2.9 clearances - rated above average.
Round 3: Jacob Weitering (Carl) 12 games, 15.1 ave disposals, 70 ranking points
Averaging 2.3 intercept marks - rated above average.
Round 4: Caleb Daniel (WB) 12 games, 21.6 ave disposals, 77 ranking points
Averaging 6.1 score involvements - rated above average.
Round 5: Tom Papley (Syd) 8 games, 12.4 ave disposals, 67 ranking points
Averaging 1.4 goals - rated above average.
Round 6: Blake Acres (StK) 8 games, 17.0 ave disposals, 72 ranking points
Averaging 1.1 score assists - rated above average.
Round 7: James Harmes (Melb) 12 games, 16.0 ave disposals, 70 ranking points
Averaging 10 forward half pressure acts - rated above average.
Round 8: Jacob Hopper (GWS) 6 games, 18.5 ave disposals, 71 ranking points
Averaging 8.7 contested possessions, 3 clearances - rated above average.
Round 9: Christian Petracca (Melb) 9 games, 18.1 ave disposals, 75 ranking points
Averaging 1.2 score assists, 6.1 score involvements - rated above average.
Round 10: Darcy Byrne-Jones (Port) 12 games, 17.1 ave disposals, 72 ranking points
Averaging 323 metres gained. 5.3 intercept possessions - rated above average.
Round 11: Connor Blakely (Frem) 9 games, 20.4 ave disposals, 74 ranking points
Has won 45% of possessions contested - rated above average.
Round 12: Lachie Weller (Frem) 14 games, 13.9 ave disposals, 58 ranking points
Averaging 1.7 groundball-gets inside 50 - rated above average.
Round 13: James Sicily (Haw) 14 games, 11.9 ave disposals, 68 ranking points
Averaging 1.8 contested marks - rated elite.
Round 14: Jade Gresham (SK) 11 games, 13.1 ave disposals, 55 ranking points
Averaging 1.2 score assists - rated above average.
Round 15: Peter Wright (GC) 9 games, 10.9 ave disposals, 73 ranking points
Averaging 2.1 marks inside 50 - rated above average.
THE ODDS
Christian Petracca $2.75
Jacob Weitering $3.25
Caleb Daniel $6
Darcy Parish $9
James Sicily $11
Callum Mills $11
Connor Blakely $15
Darcy Byrne-Jones $21
Lachie Weller $41
Jacob Hopper $41
Clayton Oliver $41
Jade Gresham $41
BETTER THAN AVERAGE
Darcy Byrne-Jones rates above average in four key categories in his debut year.
andrew.capel@news.com.au