AFL 2021: Essendon star Darcy Parish’s incredible transformation has him in Brownlow contention

He’s the most improved player in the competition, with a transformation so drastic that he has firmed from $501 into $10 for the Brownlow Medal. So what’s behind his ascendancy?

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 05: Darcy Parish of the Bombers tackles Jason Castagna of the Tigers during the round 12 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium on June 05, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Darcy Parish’s eye-popping transformation from whipping boy to Brownlow contender was born on the back of sweating through gruelling summer workouts and perhaps the club’s failed bid to secure Western Bulldog Josh Dunkley.

Parish, 23, has firmed from $501 to $10 with TAB to become Essendon’s first Brownlow medallist since another blonde midfielder called James Hird in 1996.

On Saturday night the 23-year-old added the Yiooken Award to this year’s Anzac Day Medal after registering a club-record 44 disposals against the Tigers.

The AFL’s most improved player clocked 14.1km at Perth Stadium as coach Ben Rutten hailed Parish’s new-found running power.

Parish has timed his evolution perfectly. Like vice-captain Zach Merrett, the No. 5 draft pick falls out of contract this year and is set for a massive pay rise.

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Darcy Parish addresses the crowd after receiving the Yiooken Award as best-afield in Dreamtime.

Jake Stringer will also be asking for a healthy new contract as a dynamic forward who is among the AFL’s most impactful players at centre bounce.

Rutten told Parish during the pre-season there was “30 per cent growth” left in him.

“He’s got a lot of confidence at the minute,” Rutten said.

“He’s built some belief in his body, which he worked on over the off-season and now he’s been able to transfer that into game days.

“He’s certainly made a big jump with his conditioning and his physical preparation and his running ability.

“He took that to a new level and then it was about how does he transfer that in games and get more possessions, and more value for those possessions.”

Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett have become one of the most efficient midfield combinations in the competition.

Parish’s handball to Brayden Ham set up Essendon’s last goal of the first half as Richmond contemplated “stamping him” with a hard tag.

“He had 25 to halftime and we sort of thought, ‘What do we do about it?’” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

“But we generally don’t tag those sort of players and understand they’re going to get a certain amount of possessions.

“He was really, really damaging and he’s outstanding around clearance. The kid’s come on a hell of a lot.”

Rutten’s coaching has also helped Parish flourish.

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Parish spent less than 40 per cent of game time in the midfield from games 26-75, and more than 50 per cent in attack.

But since then he has spent 70 per cent of matches in the guts and has blossomed into a ball-winning machine. He has averaged 34.3 disposals across the last 10 games.

Parish’s 11 clearances (six centre clearances) was almost more than double any other player in Dreamtime.

Rutten was thrilled that Parish stood up when Andy McGrath (knee) went down.

“He was really clean, the value for his possession is getting better and better,” Rutten said.

Originally published as AFL 2021: Essendon star Darcy Parish’s incredible transformation has him in Brownlow contention