Suns star Darcy MacPherson reveals his father’s telling words
A Gold Coast Suns player has opened up about what his father said to him ahead of joining the AFL club.
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DARCY MacPherson’s father sparked his childhood dream of playing for the Western Bulldogs and also instilled the belief he could forge an even greater career at Gold Coast.
MacPherson was left shattered when the Bulldogs, where his father Stephen played 188 games, chose not to take him under the father-son rule at the 2015 national draft.
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But a message from his father has led to his ability to work to build his own legacy, with the words still echoing in his mind while accepting a trophy after finishing third in the Suns club champion award on Saturday.
“He instilled the belief in me,” MacPherson said.
“He said at the time ‘I don’t want you to play for the Bulldogs, I don’t want you to live in my shadow. I want you to do your own thing and build your own career and leave your own legacy’.
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“It gave me a lot of confidence to go up to the Coast and be who I am and not worry about the history or anything like that and build my own legacy up here.
“He has really helped me along the way. Every game I play he is always on the phone and speaking to me and helping me with what I can do better.”
The 21-year-old had a breakout season in 2019, with the former rookie-turned senior-listed player playing all 22 games and re-signing until the end of 2022.
The most AFL he had played in a season before this year was eight in 2017.
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“It’s really amazing from where I have come from, the path I have taken, getting overlooked by the Bulldogs and a coming up to the Gold Coast and living my dream. I can’t believe it.
“I knew I always had it in me to be an AFL player. I had to do my time in the NEAFL and tried really hard every game in the NEAFL.
“I really believe in myself and had a vision that I could be a really good pressure forward in the AFL as well and solidify myself in the competition.”
MacPherson said at the start of the 2019 season he still felt like he had a point to prove and even after his success in 2019, he believed he was yet to do it.
“No I haven’t, to be honest,” MacPherson said.
“I feel like there is still a lot more to give.
“Another pre-season under (Suns high performance manager) Alex Rigby is going to be huge and I feel like there is still a lot more I can achieve and do, especially with my game.
“There is a lot of room for improvement that will only make me a better player.”
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