Watch hilarious late-night ‘shock’ for Giant debutant Darcy Jones

Uncapped Giant Darcy Jones wasn’t sure what to make of a late-night knock at the door by teammate Sam Taylor, but what unfolded was a hilarious debut announcement video.

Darcy Jones during the GWS Giants training session on April 23, 2024. Photo by Phil Hillyard (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – **NO ON SALES** – ©Phil Hillyard )

Darcy Jones was sitting in bed at 8.30pm on Tuesday when he heard an unusual knock on the door.

Already beginning to drift off to sleep, the second-year Giant assumed it was his housemate’s girlfriend who had arrived. However, as he tuned in more acutely to the voices outside, he realised this visit was for him.

As the 20-year-old opened the door, his GWS teammate Sam Taylor was standing in the doorway with a fresh guernsey in his hands. With the club’s media team lurking just behind, Jones quickly understood this was a surprise worth getting out of bed for.

In less than 48 hours, he would be making his AFL debut on Anzac Day against the Brisbane Lions in Canberra.

💬 "Holy sh*t, you're kidding."

Sam Taylor visits Darcy Jones' house with a very special announcement... pic.twitter.com/upWTtmnP5q

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) April 24, 2024

Jones’s raw speed has seen him thrown into the Giants’ side to take on Brisbane on Thursday night. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It was a bit of a funny situation really,” Jones said. “I heard some guy talking and thought, ‘What’s that about?’ and it was Sam Taylor standing there with a jersey and cameras behind him.

“It was a complete shock and I couldn’t stop shaking.”

Jones comes into the team for Toby Greene after the Giants’ captain failed to overturn a one-match suspension for rough conduct. Taylor was on standby to deliver the news depending on the outcome of Greene’s hearing.

It’s a remarkable story for Jones after injury cruelled the first year of his career in 2023. He was taken by the Giants with the 21st selection of the 2022 draft, coming through the ranks as an elite small-forward prospect after setting the draft combine record for the agility test with a time of 7.70 seconds.

However, an early season ACL injury ruined any chances of a first-season debut and left Jones resigned to watching his new teammates from the sidelines.

The teenager spent the majority of his debut season watching on from the sidelines. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But he credits that tortuous 12-month period for turning him into the footballer he is today and giving him more confidence than he ever has, particularly when it comes to his pace.

“I have seen it as a bit of a blessing,” Jones said. “I’ve learned to appreciate it and work harder.

“In a way, I’m glad that I’ve had setbacks like that because it makes me work that much harder. I guess the rewards are all that much better.

“I don’t think about (the knee) too much now. I’m so confident that my body’s up to it and can handle it all, I’m just very excited and confident.”

Jones worked closely with his teammates in the rehab group but found himself naturally gravitating towards inaugural Giant, Adam Kennedy.

Jones credits his teammates for helping him through the past year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Kennedy was also going through an ACL injury and his experience became invaluable for Jones, who was wrapping his head around the toughest period of his career.

“We were all going through the same thing and he had done it before,” Jones said. “He knew what I was going through so he was a massive help.

“Also blokes like Connor Idun. He was checking up on me, had coffee with me and all that sort of stuff. He understood what I was going through and that it can get a bit lonely at times when everyone’s travelling and I’m in Sydney by myself.”

Jones has no intention of trying to be a like-for-like replacement for Greene against the Lions, but his tenacity without the ball has long excited the Giants’ inner sanctum.

At just 175cm, he constantly plays above his height and weight and won’t be hard to spot as he dons the customary headgear he has worn since he was 13 – “It would be weird if I ever took it off now,” he said.

Jones and his customary headgear are set to become a staple in the AFL for years to come. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He was in line for a debut earlier in the season, but some general soreness saw him return through the VFL with Harvey Thomas instead given the nod. He’s now ready to make up for lost time, and thankfully, his parents and many of his friends are making the long trip over from Perth to see him in action.

“Mum started bawling her eyes out (when I told her),” Jones said. “Dad was over the moon as well, he was driving so he had to pull over to talk to me.

“It was frustrating earlier this year I admit. But it’s just the way it goes, it’s not the end of the world. I’ve got plenty more years to play footy.

“It will be hard to fill (Toby’s) shoes. I think I’ll speak to him soon. They obviously believe in me which is good, I’m doing all I can for the club, playing hard, doing extras, everything.

“They’ve got me in the team to use my attributes so I’ll make sure to do that tomorrow night.”

Originally published as Watch hilarious late-night ‘shock’ for Giant debutant Darcy Jones