Jack Darling Requests Trade to North Melbourne, Ending West Coast AFL Career at 32
Jack Darling, the 32-year-old West Coast premiership forward, is set to conclude his AFL career at North Melbourne after formally requesting a trade. Despite having a year left on his contract, he aims for a multi-year deal with the Kangaroos. Darling, who recorded 22 goals in 21 games this season, is expected to provide experience to North Melbourne's young roster alongside Nick Larkey.
West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling is preparing to conclude his AFL career at North Melbourne after officially requesting a trade. The 32-year-old intends to ink a multi-year contract with the Kangaroos, with a recent medical completed at Arden Street.
Darling's Transition to North Melbourne Following Trade Request
The West Coast Eagles have acknowledged Darling's trade request through a succinct statement released on Wednesday. The club stated that they will now work collaboratively with North Melbourne to facilitate this request in the upcoming trade period next month.
Darling's Performance and Impact at West Coast
In the previous season, Darling faced difficulties with his performance. He was benched when interim coach Jarrad Schofield succeeded Adam Simpson. Throughout the season, he scored 22 goals across 21 games, contributing to a dismal campaign for the Eagles, who finished third from the bottom, ranking above North Melbourne and last-placed Richmond.
Coaching and Strategic Direction at North Melbourne
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has identified Darling as a key player to inject experience into the team's young roster. Darling is set to bolster the attacking line, working alongside spearhead Nick Larkey. Since making his AFL debut in 2011, Darling has risen to prominence, ranking second in West Coast history for both games played (298) and goals scored (333). He is poised to narrowly miss becoming only the second player in Eagles history, after 2018 premiership captain Shannon Hurn, to reach the significant milestone of 300 games.
Darling's Ambitions for His Future in AFL
This week, Darling described himself as "durable" and expressed a strong desire to prolong his career for as long as possible. He noted that an additional two to three years at North Melbourne would align well with his family's needs and his personal aspirations.
West Coast's Coaching Search and Player Moves
As the off-season unfolds, West Coast is reportedly narrowing its search for a new coach, with Andrew McQualter, Hayden Skipworth, and Steven King emerging as the final three candidates. The Eagles are also keen to secure Jack Graham from Richmond, while fellow Tigers and WA products Liam Baker and Shai Bolton are also rumored for potential moves to their home state. Furthermore, Sydney's Harry Cunningham has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him with the club until the end of 2026. In addition, Gold Coast players Nick Holman and Sean Lemmens have each signed one-year contract extensions to remain with the club until the conclusion of the 2025 season.
