Will Darcy Draft Profile

Oakleigh ChargersKey Position Utility

#56

Will Darcy

height: 196cm

weight:

D.O.B: 14-03-2007

Leagues: Coates Talent League Boys

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A raw and wiry key position talent who can impact at either end of the ground, coming from multiple generations of footballing pedigree.” – Michael Alvaro

Football runs in the veins of Will Darcy, as does donning the famous red, white, and blue guernsey. While elder brother Sam produced a breakout campaign for the Western Bulldogs in 2025, Will’s family ties to Whitten Oval extend back to his father Luke – a former captain who played 226 games – and late grandfather David, who managed 133 appearances.

The most junior Darcy has paved his way into draft contention with relatively minimal exposure. His school football form with APS side Scotch College was enough to see him earn a call-up to the Oakleigh Chargers, where he debuted in Round 13. He went on to make five appearances but had his year cut short by a back injury which also kept him out of the National Draft Combine.

Darcy played arguably his best game at school level against Geelong College, where he showcased his ability to impact at either end of the ground. He has had the opportunity to complete touch, vision, and recovery sessions with the Bulldogs every few weeks this year and says it would be a dream to add to his family legacy at Whitten Oval, via father-son rules.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Mobility
+ Overhead marking
+ Skills
+ Upside
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENT:

- Exposure
- Production
- Strength

There's plenty of raw potential in Darcy, who's rangy frame, skill, and mobility draw comparisons to his thriving elder brother, Sam. He can do some special things for a tall player, but naturally thrives in the air with his marking ability. Darcy's reach lends to terrific extension at the ball overhead, capable of accessing it at high points few others can. He has a solid set of hands to boot, further compounding his aerial impact.

Another area Darcy prides himself on is his skills. Whether that be his touch, kicking, or handballing, he is quite clean and efficient in possession and looks relatively comfortable in open play. Combined with his mobility, it means Darcy can not only arrive at contest to make initial aerial efforts, but also impact on the follow-up to either help sweep out of defence, or create secondary scoring opportunities up forward.

The potential to win games at either end of the ground is something Darcy sees as another strength. That kind of versatility, which his brother also possessed, is key to his upside. He pops up to make crucial intercepts down back, but can just as easily sit deep inside forward 50 and produce a crucial mark or goal. That kind of ability is highly sought after at the top level, so cannot be underestimated when considering Darcy's value.

Though, there remains plenty of untapped potential to be developed in Darcy's game. He is a lightly-framed type who will look to add size once he hits the top level, which will inevitably help boost his in-game production. The 18-year-old hopes to elevate his one-on-one craft and take more intercept marks, with both facets central to impacting more regularly as a key position player. He should be afforded plenty of time to do so.

Darcy averaged just 6.2 disposals and 1.2 marks at Coates Talent League level this year, highlighting how he has been able to showcase his talent in spite of not having bucketloads of the ball. His limited exposure to the pathway with just five games for Oakleigh and better form at APS level means he could end up going gangbusters in an elite environment. It will be up to the Bulldogs to unlock that potential and help him shine.

DRAFT RANGE: 40-60

SUMMARY:

Darcy is well poised to join elder brother Sam at Whitten Oval come draft time, and while he has snuck under the radar this year, the Bulldogs could be made to match a bid as early as the second round. His upside is clear, although some clubs will be wary of Darcy’s relative lack of exposure at high levels and minimal exposed form. His brother’s breakout season in the AFL provides a glimpse of what he could become in the long-term, with plenty of improvement still to be made. The Bulldogs currently hold picks 14 and 33 along with several later selections, so may yet do some manoeuvring to ensure a fourth Darcy gets through the door after David, Luke, and Sam. His key defensive capabilities certainly suit a need.