#1
Darcy Szerszyn
height: 188cm
weight:
D.O.B: 20-05-2008
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys, AFL U16 Championships
-
Snapshot
-
Analysis
-
Summary
SNAPSHOT: “An all-round athletic phenom who can impact aerially and rebound with line-breaking speed.”
A prospect who is held in the highest regard by all who are close to him, Darcy Szerszyn has long been a prospect on the radar. In the same year he helped Vic Country take out the Under 16 title (2024), the versatile defender made his Talent League debut and hasn’t looked back since.
Szerszyn made a further 13 bottom-age appearances for Dandenong Stingrays last year and debuted in the Vic Country Under 18 side, going on to be inducted into the 2026 AFL Academy. Heading into his top-age campaign, he was also named vice-captain of the Stingrays.
While a shoulder injury delayed Szerszyn’s start to the season, he returned in Round 11 and made nine appearances for the Grand Final bound Stingrays. He was also an integral member of the Vic Country group, playing every game and even earning a VFL berth with North Melbourne.
Szerszyn perhaps didn’t quite hit the lofty heights expected of him this year, but starred at the National Draft Combine to serve a reminder of his upside. He achieved top-10 results across a high of four events, including a sixth-place finish in the 20-metre sprint (2.914 seconds).
STRENGTHS:
+ Aerial ability
+ Athleticism
+ Intercepting
+ Rebounding
+ Upside
+ Versatility
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Composure
- Kicking
At 188cm, Szerszyn's powerful athletic traits are central to his versatility. He has the height and vertical leap to compete aerially, while boasting line-breaking speed which can be observed on the rebound. Further to his flexible nature, he can shut down both tall and small opponents or play loose as an intercept-rebound dual threat.
Cutting his teeth as a defender with the option to swing forward in spurts, Szerszyn matched up on Vic Country teammates Archie Elliott (182cm) and Wil Malady (190cm) within a matter of weeks this season. He had the speed to neutralise both of them, along with the aerial nous to compete with Malady.
When playing on talls, as he tends to do more often, Szerszyn shows great courage in the air and equalises contests with spoils. Although, he can cut his direct opponent a bit too much slack at times, trusting his athletic gifts will make up the difference. At his best, he impacts as the third man up and can turn his spoils into marks.
Szerszyn is the type of player who can also convert his intercepts into counterattacks. His raw speed can be breathtaking at times as he takes off with reckless abandon, playing on pure instinct. He isn't afraid to attack the corridor with aggressive run-and-carry, while linking up with teammates to pose a true transitional threat.
Although, that kind of play can often be Szerszyn's downfall. At times, the high gear he operates in can bring his kicking and decision making unstuck, sacrificing technique in the pursuit of quick surge meterage. You don't want to diminish his instincts, but reigning in to find a touch of composure and polish will help refine his game.
There's no point winning the ball back only to turn it back over just as quickly, but Szerszyn's risk taking makes up a considerable portion of his upside. He seems like the type who can put those things behind him pretty quickly though, and has long been renowned for his competitive character traits.
DRAFT RANGE: 35-50
SUMMARY:
Given his under-age achievements, plenty was expected of Szerszyn heading into his top-age year. Injury stunted his progress to a degree, but he did well to get back up to speed mid-season and heading into the National Championships. His power-based athletic traits translate well to the modern game, fitting the mould of a slingshot style defender. He can intercept and rebound all in one. Szerszyn also gets a tick for his character and leadership, which bodes well for the hope that he can develop his deficiencies in an elite environment. A role is there for him at AFL level, it’s about whether he can follow through on the upside.
AFL U18 Championships
| Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Vic Country | 24 | 11 | 35 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 8.0 | 3.7 | 11.7 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 50 |
| 2026 | Vic Country | 46 | 21 | 67 | 20 | 19 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 11.5 | 5.3 | 16.8 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 67 |
| Total | - | 70 | 32 | 102 | 32 | 29 | 68 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 25 | 0 | 7 | 10.0 | 4.6 | 14.6 | 4.6 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 117 |
Coates Talent League Boys
| Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dandenong Stingrays | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 20 |
| 2025 | Dandenong Stingrays | 105 | 46 | 151 | 46 | 58 | 92 | 28 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 37 | 1 | 13 | 8.1 | 3.5 | 11.6 | 3.5 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 0.1 | 49 |
| 2026 | Dandenong Stingrays | 87 | 33 | 120 | 41 | 30 | 90 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 42 | 0 | 9 | 9.7 | 3.7 | 13.3 | 4.6 | 0.0 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 58 |
| Total | - | 196 | 79 | 275 | 89 | 88 | 182 | 54 | 2 | 6 | 26 | 81 | 1 | 23 | 8.5 | 3.4 | 12.0 | 3.9 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 127 |
AFL U16 Championships
| Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Vic Country | 23 | 8 | 31 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 10.3 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 42 |
| Total | - | 23 | 8 | 31 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 7.7 | 2.7 | 10.3 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 42 |
