Darcy Jones on shedding ‘Kid with the Lid’ nickname, moving into a midfield role for GWS Giants

The ‘Kid with the Lid’ might soon be graduating as budding GWS superstar Darcy Jones looks to shake the tag and become one of the most damaging players in the competition.

Get all your ‘Kid with the Lid’ references out now, because if Darcy Jones has it his way, the nickname won’t be lasting much longer.

Jones has been a revelation since bursting onto the scene for the Giants with his raw pace and natural footballing ability last season. He has continued on that form in 2025, becoming one of the club’s most consistent players amid a shaky first half of the year.

But the 21-year-old is ready to shake his junior status and play above his years as the Giants look to start their premiership charge.

Darcy Jones became known as the ‘kid with a lid’ in his first few seasons. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“It’s certainly pretty funny, I didn’t expect to be getting a nickname,” Jones said. “It’s cool that the kids love it and all that.

“I was thinking about that. What happens when I’m 25 years old? Is everyone still going to call me that? I think I’ve got maybe a year left of it, I’m not too sure.

“I’m happy with how I’m progressing. I do still think I’m playing nowhere near my best footy. I think I’ve got a long way to go still. I’m kind of getting that consistency at the moment, and I’m playing good, but I think I’ve still got another level.”

Jones has kicked 11 goals in 12 matches this season, having balanced his predominant role as small forward with more time in the midfield. It’s a sign of the extra responsibility coach Adam Kingsley has given the youngster after recognising how much of a barometer he can be to their success.

But when it comes to improvement, it’s clear the scoreboard is where Jones sees the biggest gap in his game. Having also kicked nine behinds in 2025, he is eager to become more efficient in front of goal, even if his opportunities are scarce because of the incredible key forwards like Jesse Hogan and Aaron Cadman he’s got in front of them.

“I love playing the centre bounces because I’ve played that position most of my life, so I like getting in there, using my feet and all that,” Jones said.

“I think the (main improvement) is just goal kicking. I want to kick more goals. But sometimes it can be hard. I play quite far up the ground and don’t really get a lot of chances deep inside 50. But if I can, I want to make the most of them.

“At the end of the day, if they’re kicking the goals, I actually couldn’t care less. And they’re putting scores on the board.”

Jones won’t be the only kid in attendance on Sunday afternoon at Engie Stadium as the Giants look to make it a Queensland double with a win over the Gold Coast.

GWS will be celebrating their Kids round with a number of game day activations, including performances on and off the field, a carnival around the ground and a pre-match performance by the Australian Girls Choir.

Darcy Jones with kids from the Penrith Giants and Concord Giants with their give away Darcy Jones cardboard helmets. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The match will double as a collaboration with AFL NSW/ACT for the ‘Giant Day Out’. Several clinics and matches will be taking place across Sydney Olympic Park for Auskick and junior community footy participants across Western Sydney.

As many as 17 junior clubs from across the region, stretching from the Blue Mountains Kangaroos, Hawkesbury Saints and Macarthur Bulldogs, will be getting involved in the activities, which will culminate in the Giant March where kids will get to go on the field at halftime of the GWS-Gold Coast fixture.

“I like to think we normally play pretty well at Engie,” Jones said.

“We’re going to try and forget about the Freo game. Although we won the Richmond game, that still wasn’t how we wanted to play.

“We’re definitely going to try and get that form back and play like we did against Brisbane at Engie this weekend.”

Originally published as Darcy Jones on shedding ‘Kid with the Lid’ nickname, moving into a midfield role for GWS Giants