Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones isn’t just a hard-at-it, no-fuss defender anymore with the numbers proving he’s so much more
The 23-year-old Power defender has taken his game – particular, the offensive side – to another level in 2019, posting career-highs in most key-areas.
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Darcy Byrne-Jones, a hard-at-it, no-fuss, reliable defender.
At the start of the year, that would’ve been an accurate description of the 23-year-old, who was drafted a pick No. 52 in 2013.
After 16 matches in his sixth season on Port Adelaide’s list, it’s now an understatement.
Byrne-Jones – who made his debut in Round 3, 2016 - averaged 16 disposals per game in his first two seasons before pushing that number to 17 last year, as he established himself in the Power’s back-half.
But he’s taken his game – particular, the offensive side – to another level in 2019.
The 181cm Byrne-Jones is averaging a career-high 22.3 disposals per game this year, after tallying 25 or more on seven occasions.
Byrne-Jones finished 25 touches or more to his name seven times in his first three seasons.
But, as far as career-highs go, that’s not all.
Byrne-Jones – whose 251 effective disposals is second-only to Travis Boak at the Power - is averaging more contested possessions (7.2), intercept possessions (7.4), marks (5.4) and tackles (3.2) than he ever has.
Highlighting the development of the offensive side of his game, as he works higher up the ground, Byrne Jones is averaging 339 metres gained per match – 49 metres more than his previous career-high in 2016 and 81 more than last season.
And the hard-working right-footer’s 51 inside-50s – a total rated elite for defenders - so far in 2019 is already two more than he recorded in a 23-game season in 2017.
It’s a similar story with his involvement in Port Adelaide scoring chains.
In his first three seasons, Byrne-Jones recorded 46, 59, and 53 score involvements in each year respectively.
Byrne-Jones has 62 score involvements from his 16 matches this season and his six direct goal-assists for the year is already close to his career-tally of eight prior to the start of 2019.
And all of this is on top of leading the Power for defensive-half pressure acts at an elite 15.8 per game.
The huge spike hasn’t been more evident than in the past two rounds.
In Showdown 46, Byrne Jones tallied 31 disposals, 11 marks, nine intercept possessions, eight contested possessions, six score involvements, four inside 50s and 121 Champion Data ranking points.
A week later, he finished with 30 disposals, 12 intercepts, nine contested possessions, five inside 50s, five score involvements and 130 ranking points in the loss to the Lions.
In this period, Byrne-Jones ranks first at the club for ranking points and intercept possessions, second for intercept marks, uncontested possessions and total marks, third for metres gained and fourth for disposals.
The ‘hard-at-it, no-fuss defender’ tag still stands but the numbers say he’s so much more now.
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