It’s come later than some expected but the breakout year for Bomber Darcy Parish is here and he’s worth some thought in SuperCoach

With a three-round average of 125, is young Bomber Darcy Parish is worth some thought as a SuperCoach point-of-difference in the forward line? Re-cap The Phantom’s live chat here.

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He averaged 72 points in his debut season of 2016 and increased this number to 80 last year, on the back of impressive late-season form which saw him post five scores of 84 or more, including three SuperCoach tons, in the final seven rounds.

This run had many predicting Parish was ready to make his mark on SuperCoach — and the competition as a topline midfielder.

RE-CAP THE PHANTOM’S LIVE CHAT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

Especially given he dominated the TAC Cup in his draft year, averaging 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, six score involvements and 128 SuperCoach points per game.

But when Round 1 came around and John Worsfold announced his side to take on the Giants, Parish’s name wasn’t there.

Essendon Training at Tullamarine. Darcy Parish. Pic: Michael Klein

Instead, Parish booted five goals in a VFL practice match against Coburg.

He was back in the senior side a week later and posted 115 points against the Demons in Round 3.

But, again, Parish was left out of Essendon’s side for the ANZAC Day clash in Round 6, only to be given a lifeline as a last-minute replacement for Orazio Fantasia.

After 21 disposals against the Magpies, Parish tallied 25 disposals, 12 contested possessions and 110 points the following round in the 32-point loss to the Cats.

Then the 21-year-old, as he has done for most the early-part of his career, let inconsistency creep him, recording just 34 disposals and seven contested possessions in the next two weeks.

But against the Tigers in Round 10, a game which saw recruit Dylan Shiel leave the ground with a hamstring injury, Parish turned the corner.

The skilful right-footer tallied 31 disposals, 19 contested possessions and 137 SuperCoach points — all career-highs — in the best performance of his short career.

Well it was until the following week against the Blues.

Parish finished with another 31 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 10 clearances, two goals and 129 points, as he stepped up in the absence of Shiel in Round 11.

With Shiel back after the bye, all eyes were on Parish — and what he could produce with a fully-fit Shiel — in the Friday night clash with the Hawks last week.

And he didn’t disappoint.

DARCY PARISH ROUNDS 10-13

	Average	AFL Rank
Clearances	7	5th
Effective long-kicks	7	8th
Cont. possessions	13.3	15th
Handball-receives	12.7	13th
Inside 50s	5.7	6th

While his clearances numbers were down on the previous two weeks given Shiel’s return to the midfield rotation, Parish still had a huge influence, finishing with 21 disposals, eight contested possessions, two goal assists and a major of his own in the 22-point victory.

Since Round 10, Parish ranks fifth for clearances, sixth for inside 50s, seventh for effective long-kicks and 13th for handball-receives in the competition.

His 125 SuperCoach points per game is the ninth-best average of any player.

The breakout year is here — albeit a little later than many were expecting.

And at $505k, as a dual-position forward-midfielder who is in just 1.5 per cent of teams, he’s worth some thought in SuperCoach if you’re after a point-of-difference for the run-home.