Sean Darcy’s manager Scott Lucas has provided some insight into the long-term deal signed by the Fremantle ruckman.
The 25-year-old penned a six-year extension that has him tied to the Dockers until 2030 having previously been contracted until the end of next year.
There has been some criticism directed at Freo for making such a significant move given they have Luke Jackson locked away until 2029.
“COULD GO PEAR-SHAPED”: FREMANTLE GREAT’S CONCERN ABOUT DARCY’S NEW CONTRACT
Huge investment for a back-up ruckman https://t.co/dgG78Xhtt9
— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) December 13, 2023
However, Lucas insists that two ruckmen can work for the Dockers, especially considering the likelihood that a five-man interchange bench will be introduced in the near future.
“Luke has an ability to go forward and play that role really well to keep pressure on the game,” Lucas insisted on SEN Mornings.
“Having two quality ruckmen in a team allows you to keep pressure around the midfield for the full 120 minutes. Now you’re seeing clubs just try to figure out how that works.
“I have a view that four and a sub will become five (on the bench) and I reckon when it’s five, most clubs will look to play two rucks. I reckon that’s the additional spot on the bench.
“I think it can work. Fremantle had sat down and spoken, and I think Luke and Sean have also spoken about how they work together, which is clear like any team does.
“Once all parties were comfortable with that it was just a matter of getting on with it.”
Throughout the year there was some swirling speculation surrounding Darcy who hails from Cobden and played Under-18 footy for the Geelong Falcons.
The 2021 best and fairest had been linked to Geelong over the course of 2023 and although there was some other interest from rival clubs, Lucas says his client never really contemplated departing the Dockers.
“Certainly clubs enquired,” Lucas added.
“Sean was in no rush because he was contracted until the end of next year. It was more Fremantle just saying, ‘Hey listen, we’d like to extend now if that’s something you’re interested in’. So that puts it on the player’s agenda to have a think about it.
“Not really (did he think about leaving). He was always really committed to Freo. He was in no rush to commit to the process (of negotiating a new deal) because he had that extra time in contract currently.
“He got through the season after he got injured with a little bit to go. That prompted the discussion that ‘I’m not in any rush but I’m feeling pretty good about the club and what we can do in the future’.
“Once he get through that in the off-season and then back to training, we pushed on and were able to get it done reasonably quickly.”
Darcy was drafted by the Dockers in 2016 and has since played 98 games in purple and white.
In 2023 he was restricted to 15 games because of an ankle injury which required surgery.