AFL Trades 2024: West Coast veteran Jack Darling officially traded to North Melbourne
Jack Darling has officially joined North Melbourne after the West Coast veteran was traded for pick No.67 on Monday.
Darling, 32, has joined the Kangaroos on a two-year deal with a trigger for a third as he looks to extend his career beyond next season.
The 2018 premiership forward ends his time at the Eagles after 298 games and 532 goals — both the second most in club history — in 14 seasons after being drafted with pick No.26 in 2010.
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North Melbourne general manager of football Todd Viney said the club was excited to welcome Darling to Arden Street.
“We were looking to add some support to our forward line, and we’re excited about what a player like Jack can bring,” Viney said.
“Our Head of Football Talent Brady Rawlings worked with Jack in his previous role at West Coast and has seen up close his professionalism and preparation.
“Jack has great strength and ability to bring the ball to ground and chase and tackle, and we think his experience will benefit our young list enormously.
“We know he’ll be a great sounding board and support for players like Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar and he’s excited about helping us in our journey back up the ladder.”
West Coast football boss Gavin Bell said the club respected Darling’s decision to finish his career elsewhere and facilitated the trade amicably in one of the first deals completed on day one of the trade period.
“Jack has been an outstanding contributor to the West Coast Eagles over the last 15 years and we appreciate the reasons for his decision to join North Melbourne,” Bell said.
“He is obviously a highly decorated premiership player and a life member, who we thank for his excellent service to our club.
“On behalf of the club, I’d like to wish Jack, Courtney, Max, Leo and Rosie all the best for the future.”
The West Perth product has struggled for form in recent seasons, kicking a career-low 22 goals from 21 games this year.
He fell out of favour after the Eagles parted ways with coach Adam Simpson, with caretaker coach Jarrad Schofield dropping Darling for the first time in his career after the round 17 loss to Melbourne.
Darling was recalled for the round 20 western derby and played the remaining five games of the season, finishing his career at the Eagles with two goals from 10 touches against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The forward leaves the Eagles as one of it’s greatest ever players, having been the Eagles’ leading goalkicker on four occasions (2012, 2018, 2019 and 2021), earning life membership in 2017 and claiming an All-Australian berth in 2019.
At his peak, Darling was part of a formidable partnership with Eagles all-time leading goalkicker Josh Kennedy, with the pair part of the driving force to the club’s fourth premiership in 2018
West Coast now hold picks 3, 26, 62 and 67 in this year’s draft.
Originally published on The West Australian
