AFL Player # 3: Darcy Parish

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted free agent 2028 or 2029
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 18, doug85

 

[ant555]

its not just defensive work though, its what he does when he doesnt have the ball whether its in attack or defence.
Went to a lot more games this year than previous years and it was a bit of an eye opener watching the guys up the field.

Early in the year when we were up and about it was built of the back of guys like Duursma/Caldwell/Martin/Durham/merrett and their 2nd efforts/gut running. Despite having poor marking tall options on the wings /rucks these guys were always on the move trying to give an option for our defenders and our ball movement looked better because of that.

Conversely back half of the year it stood out like dogs balls in the crows/swans games how little guys like Parish and to lesser extent Shiel worked to lose their man and give an option when our backline was under immense pressure.
Guys like Kelly/Mckay/Lav/McGrath copped the brunt of the criticism for their slow movement out of the backline but as much blame needs to be given to the players up the ground who stand around like witches hats unless the ball is within 5/10 meters of them, Parish was one of the biggest offenders in this regard.

And he has not been fit enough in the last two seasons to get from contest to contest like he was. When he has had that fitness his defensive effort was okay. He is a ball hunter so it is never going to be great.
You can not judge this year. He never got going and Scott should never have played him in the back end when he came back from injury.
I have been as critical as anyone but he did improve to a level you could work with. Last two seasons he has just lost that endurance edge which has effected both sides of hi game.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

And he has not been fit enough in the last two seasons to get from contest to contest like he was. When he has had that fitness his defensive effort was okay. He is a ball hunter so it is never going to be great.
You can not judge this year. He never got going and Scott should never have played him in the back end when he came back from injury.
I have been as critical as anyone but he did improve to a level you could work with. Last two seasons he has just lost that endurance edge which has effected both sides of hi game.

if thats the case then yes agree Scott shouldnt have played him in the 22 let alone as one of the key cogs in the midfield.

This is the issue that really puzzles me with Scott, with some players he shows patience, keeps them in the two's till they work on weaknesses/get back to full fitness (see Shiel/Setterfield) but then Parish is thrown straight in to the seniors.
Our midfield group has a lot more depth than it used to, I dont think we are that reliant on Parish and he isnt an A grade matchwinner that can still make a contribution running around at 70% fitness.

 

[rusman]

On the positive side. There were a few times this year I thought his kick was better. Gives me hope like mcgrath that there’s been improvement on that end.

 

[ant555]

if thats the case then yes agree Scott shouldnt have played him in the 22 let alone as one of the key cogs in the midfield.

This is the issue that really puzzles me with Scott, with some players he shows patience, keeps them in the two's till they work on weaknesses/get back to full fitness (see Shiel/Setterfield) but then Parish is thrown straight in to the seniors.
Our midfield group has a lot more depth than it used to, I dont think we are that reliant on Parish and he isnt an A grade matchwinner that can still make a contribution running around at 70% fitness.

Does not really puzzle me. There are always going to be selections that people do not agree with to start with. Then you have situations like Parish v Shiel / Setterfield that you mention. You have to remember this is not a coach who put his hand up to coach Essendon and came with some sort of in depth knowledge of the list or a plan. We chased him until he thought , you know what I do want to coach again and he then said yes. What has happened is exactly what you would expect to see from a coach who spent the first year looking at the football program and working a plan for what he was going to change going into 2024. Throw in the fact that Essendon people would have been giving him the cool aid to drink and here we are. No he should not have been picked in front of Hobbs late in the season. That was an error.

I agree Parish is not a star. I have said a number of times what he does can be replaced. What I do not agree with is the fact that people are writing him off based on the last 2 years when he has clearly had injury issues. If he is fit he is a very good clearance player and when he is fit and getting from contest to contest his defensive issues do not stand out as much.

 

[Rick Ross]

A message for those suggesting Parish isn't (at least) a good player.
Bought to you from Parish's 2021 AA blazer.

 

[dank420_]

See this is what happens when you bump threads. The same shit everyone posted a month ago.

 

[boncer34]

See this is what happens when you bump threads. The same shit everyone posted a month ago.

I think his defensive works really improved the last 4 weeks.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

A message for those suggesting Parish isn't (at least) a good player.
Bought to you from Parish's 2021 AA blazer.

View attachment 2160868

I'm not saying he isn't good, I just think he is a B grade not A grade/elite player and isn't a "must select" player.
He has one amazing skill but a number of areas he needs to work on, also with his amazing skill it's only effective when it's 6-6-6 or if we have a big guy like setters/stringer taking physical pressure off him. I'm not sure that's great for team balance so I think we would he better served playing mids with more balance to their game and more capable of absorbing physical pressure/applying defensive pressure (even if their clearance work isn't at same level of his).

 

[Old Campaigner]

I’d still trade him

 

[Rick Ross]

I'm not saying he isn't good, I just think he is a B grade not A grade/elite player and isn't a "must select" player.
He has one amazing skill but a number of areas he needs to work on, also with his amazing skill it's only effective when it's 6-6-6 or if we have a big guy like setters/stringer taking physical pressure off him. I'm not sure that's great for team balance so I think we would he better served playing mids with more balance to their game and more capable of absorbing physical pressure/applying defensive pressure (even if their clearance work isn't at same level of his).

I think there’s plenty who agree with this and it sure ain’t crazy talk.

As a club needing better players in a range of positions and roles, surely we’re a better team fitting him in (when he’s fit).

Especially with bench, injuries, different set ups for different scenarios, role adaptability across the midfield group, etc.

 

[Keystone agony]

I’d still trade him

No point selling low

He still offers exceptional groundball like Neale and Naicos, hes also exceptionally clean. Pretty dynamic when hes fit/confident aswell

Keep challenging him to defend now we have the ability to replace him due to Caldwell and Durham coming on. His spot isnt as safe and at worst hes a very good 4th rotating midfielder

I liked seeing the videos of him standing up in tackles and breaking them with jiu jitsu trainers