AFL 2025: Western Bulldog Sam Darcy put Collingwood on notice after breakout performance last season

Western Bulldogs star Sam Darcy has been high on Collingwood’s list of priorities after he produced a coming-of-age performance against the Magpies last season.

Collingwood is planning to put work into emerging Western Bulldog Sam Darcy after he put the competition on notice in the corresponding match last season.

Darcy kicked three goals and took seven marks as the Bulldogs defeated the Magpies halfway through last year.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said Darcy was a “headache” because of his balance of size and mobility.

“He got us last time and he’s getting most teams at the moment because he’s a tough match-up,” McRae said.

“We have a team defence, a system that’s in place. Ideally, we have someone in line for Darcy but he wins the ball.

“Every team supports their backline through pressure at the contest and then other avenues.

“We need to continue to support our back six and make sure it’s not a one-man band down there.”

Sam Darcy has been a handful for Collingwood. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Darcy spent the majority of his time forward in Saturday night’s win against North Melbourne but also pinch hit in the ruck.

He wasn’t the only player helping Tim English in the ruck, however, as midfielder Joel Freijah ventured in at times.

The Magpies are no stranger to midfielders against them in the ruck after Brownlow Medal winning midfielder Ollie Wines took Port Adelaide’s back-up duties on Saturday.

McRae will stick with forward Dan McStay as Collingwood’s back-up ruck but understands how adding an extra midfielder has its tactical advantages.

“There’s so much more layers than just the ruck,” McRae said.

“I mean we had first possession against the Giants, we doubled them first possession from clearance, but we just got smacked around the ball

“There’s so many different layers to it. One avenue is the hitout, then there’s the follow up … to have an extra midfielder around is a cost and a reward at times.

“We thought Dan McStay played a really good game in the ruck last week. It allows him to get up the ground and show different strengths.”

Originally published as AFL 2025: Western Bulldog Sam Darcy put Collingwood on notice after breakout performance last season