GWS Giants cult hero Darcy Jones starring on field as he prepares to take helmet look to the people
GWS rising star Darcy Jones took little time to capture the imagination in his orange helmet — now footballers across the country will be able to sport the same look.
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It is not far off being footy’s best accessory now and soon Darcy Jones’ distinctive helmet could be on the heads of kids everywhere in western Sydney.
The livewire small forward has won footy lovers over in his 10 games this year and broke open a huge win for his Giants over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday when he burst through to kick two vital goals in the final term.
Before lighting speed and goal instincts on the Jones resume comes his orange and grey helmet.
The youngster has a partnership with apparel company Steeden and has begun talks on getting his look out to market.
“We’re in the process of that. I don’t know what the go at the moment is,” he said.
“We are working through it and hopefully in the near future we can get it happening.”
Jones has worn a helmet throughout his football life and is part of a rebirth of the headgear, alongside North Melbourne All-Australian contender Tristan Xerri and Western Bulldogs premiership player Caleb Daniel.
Irish Lion Darragh Joyce went with the look against the Giants on Saturday.
Angus Brayshaw and Paddy McCartin wore helmets before their recent retirements.
“I have never thought of getting rid of it, I guess it is just who I am now,” Jones said.
“It kind of gives me confidence and I think it would be a bit weird if I took it off now.”
If the helmet comes first in the mind of footy fans, Jones’ attacking flair is quickly closing the gap.
Often donned the ‘graveyard’, the small forward can be starved of action, but Jones stays ready to take any chance he can.
Both fourth-term majors were classic opportunist goals.
The first came from a long Tom Green handball, with the ball clearing congestion and landing in Jones’ lap to run at the big sticks.
Less than a minute later Brent Daniels found Jones by hand, who had enough room to turn the corner and goal with the outside of his foot.
Suddenly, the Giants were up by 12 points.
“(Giants coach) Adam Kingsley always talks about moments in games. Some are bigger and some are smaller,” he said.
“Especially in the forward line there are a lot of times you just have to take your chances and I think I just got lucky a few times (against Brisbane). I got given some space and I kind of took that and tried to make the most of it.”
Forwardline mate Aaron Cadman also helped the Giants over the line in that final term against the Lions, bagging three goals himself.
And he said Jones “sets the tone” in the forward half.
“Just seeing him get to work and his chase down tackles and creating goals off the back of it almost helps with my pressure and my tackling in the forward line,” Cadman said.
“He’s unbelievable to play with and he’s super unselfish and does whatever he can for the team, he’s super valuable to our forward line.”
Darcy Jones puts the Giants in front 🔥
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 10, 2024
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Jones is not alone as a zippy goalkicker in orange.
The Giants have recently moved Daniels to more of a midfield role, while having Toby Greene and Toby Bedford at their disposal, with draft bolter Phoenix Gothard waiting for a crack.
“Adam Kingsley just loves speed,” Jones said.
“He loves having a lot of players that can replace a lot of other players if an injury comes. It is exciting for the years to come. We have a lot of players learning and still getting better, it is exciting.”
Originally published as GWS Giants cult hero Darcy Jones starring on field as he prepares to take helmet look to the people
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