‘Unstoppable’: Bulldog Sam Darcy continues to set AFL on fire
Commentators and fans are running out of ways to describe Bulldog Sam Darcy after he produced more insane acts at the SCG.
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Sam Darcy is yet to play two full seasons worth of games for the Bulldogs in his young AFL career.
But that hasn’t stopped fans and experts alike making some enormous predictions about his future after the 21-year-old starred in the Dogs’ nine-point win over the Swans on Friday night.
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In a high quality match, Sydney was left to rue some horrendous kicking on goal in the 16.9 (105) to 14.12 (96) defeat, with Darcy producing some of the night’s best highlights.
The son of Bulldogs great Luke Darcy, Sam only played game number 37 in his fledgling career at the SCG since making his debut back in 2022.
He is doing things out on the footy field, however, that leaves those watching on struggling to find the right words to describe them.
A giant of a man at 208cm, Darcy possesses the touch and guile of some of the most skilled midfielders and small forwards in the sport.
He kicked three goals in the first half against Sydney and all came in a variety of ways.
Darcy gave an indication of what was coming when he created space and took a strong mark inside 50 on the opening play of the game, slotting his set shot with ease.
Just minutes later, he had his second after he was somehow left alone in the forward arc, kicking truly on the run from a slight angle to give his side a fast start.
He saved his best for last in the first half, reading a speculative long ball beautifully to secure possession on a tight angle.
Darcy had a brief look to see if a teammate was open before opting to take on the challenge himself, slotting another brilliant goal that would make the game’s best forwards proud.
“Darcy got moving at the back, nimble as ever, has a look, backs his talent and it’s prodigious,” Gerard Whateley said during his call on Fox Footy.
“The unstoppable Sam Darcy, he’ll beat you in the air, he’ll beat you on the ground.”
Jason Dunstall, one of the best key forwards in league history, seemed to be struggling to accept what his eyes were telling him.
“He is such a highly skilled player. He’s kicked three and he’s not tearing it apart with big marks yet,” he said.
“This is the quality of the man, he can beat you in so many different ways. I never see him fumble the ball and he moves so well for a big man.”
Jonathan Brown could only add: “We’ve run out superlatives. Got any left?”
Over on Channel 7, James Brayshaw was similarly losing his mind over Darcy’s third goal for the night.
“Sam Darcy. Surely not. What is going on?” he asked.
“This is ridiculous.”
After a long pause in their stunned commentary box, Matthew Richardson added: “This is a man, 208cm … that’s impossible.”
Speaking before the game, Richardson came up with a unique comparison for Darcy, NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain.
“Wilt the Stilt” is one of the most dominant players in basketball history, a four-time MVP who famously once scored 100 points in a single game.
“I was looking at him last week and thought has there ever been an athlete who’s had this much advantage over his direct opponents?” Richo said.
“I thought of Wilt Chamberlain. He was 12 centimetres taller on average than any other centre at the time, Darcy’s got 13.
“That 196cm is the average height for key defenders. (Swans opponent) Lewis Melican is 194 tonight.
“He has got just about as much game as ‘Wilt the Stilt’.”
People on social media were falling over themselves to capture their feelings towards the son of a gun.
Sam Kindlen tweeted: “Sam Darcy is the best player in the comp. It’s not close. If you think different, you aren’t watching.”
@AndyChatsFPL wrote: “Sam Darcy is the best forward in the AFL. UNSTOPPABLE.”
@justin1flynn offered: “Sam Darcy wow. I can’t describe how good he already is and how good he will be. Absolutely frightening.”
Matt Nicholls tweeted simply: “Sam Darcy should be illegal.”
Others were speculating on the future of the father/son rule after the Doggies were able to snap up the young star in the 2021 AFL Draft.
Cynical66 wrote: “Sam Darcy easily beating the Daicos brothers as best father/son. He plays in a key position, not running around getting fed kicks.”
@CeBeGeBess declared: “Sam Darcy might be so good he’s going to personally end the father/son rule.”
Some fans couldn’t help pondering how good Darcy is now and just how much better he could be in the future.
@Golden_Paddy said excitedly: “To think we’ve got another 10-15yrs of Sam Darcy. Wow!”
Nic Jones said: “Sam Darcy is truly the best player I’ll ever see.”
@SellerPanic wrote: “Sam Darcy’s the best since Carey isn’t he.”
Daniel Pellicci then stated: “Pretty sure Sam Darcy is going to goat!”
While he was quiet in the second half, Darcy continues to show signs he’s on track to become one of the great modern players in the AFL.
Originally published as ‘Unstoppable’: Bulldog Sam Darcy continues to set AFL on fire
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