News Jack Darling resumes with WCE

[shooshka]

It's clear he's not getting a vaccination.

If we put him on the inactive list it's in the hope that:

(1) the AFL drops its mandate (you'd think start of 2023 at the absolute earliest)
(2) Darling is able to come back after 1+ year out of the game at over 30 years of age and have an impact which justifies his contract; and
(3) the loss of trust and confidence between Darling and the club (including otehr players) can be overcome.

That's a few big hurdles, none of which the club can completely control.

In reality the inactive list is just taking a very small risk for a potentially great reward.

I'd frame it as 'is the club willing to pay $30k p.a. for the next 3 years inside the salary cap, in the hope that JD will play for them in a future year'

if it was a developing player, or a fringe player, then absolutely not. But JD is up with the elite of the competition - $30k is a very small payment for that 'option'.

1 is unknown
2 I think it would be a safe bet he would return at AFL standard - maybe not 'as good' as he was, but good enough
3 they'll work it out. See what Dom Sheed said yesterday - basically if he is allowed back in the doors he'll be welcome. Maybe it will be a bit difficult for a few weeks, but adults seem to work these things out.

 

[Doashuey]

I've given this some thought and come to a conclusion-

**** him off.

 

[Obeanie1]

I've given this some thought and come to a conclusion-

fu** him off.

There is no I in team.

And Jack is the last AFL player standing not vaccinated.

Bring in Keitel and we also have B Williams and Waterman. All three can cover Darling.

He is not the messiah.............and is acting like a dumb naughty boy.

 

[KaaL]

If he was honest he would have retired like the other 2 players that refused to get vaxxed. He wants to be paid whilst sitting on the sideline.

 

[DirtySandman]

id be surprised if we did get rid of him, we seem to give blokes chance after chance.

yeh, Willie you're one of the main ones I'm thinking about.

 

[Obeanie1]

Mental health requires more support than deregistering. He needs to try some antipsychotics and perhaps some ECT

Send him on a trip to Cambodia.

After meeting thousands of people who would be incredibly grateful to get vaccinated after seeing so much death he might just start realising just how fortunate he is living in this country.

 

[kane249]

Send him on a trip to Cambodia.

After meeting thousands of people who would be incredibly grateful to get vaccinated after seeing so much death he might just start realising just how fortunate he is living in this country.

You need to be vaccinated to do international travel though

 

[Byron_Clanger]

Has he been given the ass yet?

 

[Impunity!]

Has he been given the ass yet?

I sure hope so. Let's draw a line under him and get set for season 2022.

 

[WCE_phil]

Lets hope we didn't front end his contract.

We did with Mcgovern's so it's highly likely either balanced or backended. As with Shuey and everyone else in the team there simply wouldn't have been the cap space to front end Darlings deal.

 

[Doashuey]

Send him on a trip to Cambodia.

After meeting thousands of people who would be incredibly grateful to get vaccinated after seeing so much death he might just start realising just how fortunate he is living in this country.

I get your point but will point out that Cambodia were one of the early adopters and have had an extremely high vaccination rate. Its funny, developing nations know that most western medicine will prolong their lives and dont have the luxury of "doing research" from nutters on Youtube with the fall back of an extremely good free health service. They roll up their sleeve knowing their chances of survival just got that much better. Especially after seeing the mass graves of their countrymen killed in the early waves of Covid.

 

[WCE_phil]

Also, sack him immediately if he has cut ties from the club and isn't communicating. It's justified even without the covid stance.

From a covid perspective move him to the ineligible list straight away and sack him as soon as we can.

From a club standpoint and as a show to the other players a strong, clear cut is the right decision imo. Can even be motivational to the group with the right coaching.

 

[ep2018]

Apparently there is a way the club can drop him yet still have first dibs if next year onward he gets the vaccine and/or the mandates are dropped.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

Apparently there is a way the club can drop him yet still have first dibs if next year onward he gets the vaccine and/or the mandates are dropped.

Is this a positive posting by EP???

 

[shooshka]

There is no I in team.

And Jack is the last AFL player standing not vaccinated.

Bring in Keitel and we also have B Williams and Waterman. All three can cover Darling.

He is not the messiah.............and is acting like a dumb naughty boy.

If we can play 24 on a weekend (plus a sub) then I agree with you.

The issue is, with Waterman (who I rate), Williams (who, currently I don't rate) and Keitel (who I know nothing about, other than his lack of chin and FIGJAM attitude) - together they are probably going to better Darlings output - but any single one of them is very unlikely to.

I know it's never that linear (i.e. one player never replaces one other player and role, as each players strengths change the role they play), but it is a net loss not having JD out there unless we see sharp improvement from the 3 you listed.

In some ways it has the possibility of being a blessing (take out one of our better contested marks, and maybe we start to kick it to advantage more) - but there is a lot of hope and not a lot of science/history in that.

 

[SloppyJoe]

In reality the inactive list is just taking a very small risk for a potentially great reward.

I'd frame it as 'is the club willing to pay $30k p.a. for the next 3 years inside the salary cap, in the hope that JD will play for them in a future year'

if it was a developing player, or a fringe player, then absolutely not. But JD is up with the elite of the competition - $30k is a very small payment for that 'option'.

1 is unknown
2 I think it would be a safe bet he would return at AFL standard - maybe not 'as good' as he was, but good enough
3 they'll work it out. See what Dom Sheed said yesterday - basically if he is allowed back in the doors he'll be welcome. Maybe it will be a bit difficult for a few weeks, but adults seem to work these things out.

I didn't realise the amount payable was so little (relatively speaking).

Aside from the $30k/year payment we also need to consider that while he remains on the list with his position unresolved the issue will come up in the media again and again. it will be a source of distraction for the players.

On the flipside, if we completely cut him loose he might decide to roll the dice on legal action. I'm sure there's an arguable angle somewhere. I think he'd ultimately lose, but not before costing us more $ in legal fees but much worse it would just be more distraction, negative media coverage, airing of dirty laundry, etc. That said, he might do this if we knock him down to $30k anyway.

 

[THE A5]

We need goeaglesgosgio back to give us the inside word on Jack Darling

27

Jack Darling

Age

32

Ht

191cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

5star

G

1.9

5star

D

8.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.4

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

14.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

4.0

5star

G

1.4

5star

and langdons legs

 

[FXD_]

Andrew Gaff and Scott Lycett are among the four groomsmen and Elliot Yeo, Mark Hutchings, Jeremy McGovern and Brad Sheppard are also on the 120-person guest list.

Eagles in wedding double up

Romance is in the air for the West Coast Eagles today as two of their star forwards get married to their darlings.

thewest.com.au

I know it's old news, but **** me, fancy not communicating with your forward line teammate on what day you're planning on having your wedding. Makes it awkward for the teammates who were invited to both weddings.

 

[shooshka]

Apparently there is a way the club can drop him yet still have first dibs if next year onward he gets the vaccine and/or the mandates are dropped.

I guess if the AFL deregister him...

But, if so, is there any benefit in that vs the inactive list (maybe net $20k in salary). If our aim is to hopefully have him back playing one day with us I'd pay the money... kind of a 'we're doing all we can (whilst looking after ourselves in reality)' move.

It almost feels like the club is trying not to be the bad guy... just be adults and move him to the inactive list, sign a SSP player, send out a press release about how it is soooooo difficult to have done this, much loved player, concerned about his welfare, here to support him, still member of the team and life member of the club, hoping to welcome back into the fold one day.... something something under notice....

unless the AFL is applying pressure, there is really no need to go too hard at this stage (as the option remains post 8th May).

 

[woosha24]

I know it's old news, but fu** me, fancy not communicating with your forward line teammate on what day you're planning on having your wedding. Makes it awkward for the teammates who were invited to both weddings.

But which one will Dean Margetts attend?

 

[shooshka]

I know it's old news, but fu** me, fancy not communicating with your forward line teammate on what day you're planning on having your wedding. Makes it awkward for the teammates who were invited to both weddings.

Absolutely.

Also, imagine having to look Shep (who you invited to your wedding) in the eye and explain why you can't play football because of not wanting a vaccination...

'it could have long term health effects that aren't totally known'

'oh, like concussion'

 

[Kwality]

Absolutely.

Also, imagine having to look Shep (who you invited to your wedding) in the eye and explain why you can't play football because of not wanting a vaccination...

'it could have long term health effects that aren't totally known'

'oh, like concussion'

Thing about mates is they understand you ....

 

[mattyc75]

I hear what you're saying when comparing Willie Riolis redemption at the club to JD. But Willie and Jack have wildly different levels of education. And Jack's been in the AFL system for over a decade.

I can see the players being more sympathetic to Willie than Jack.

There were a few players that didn't want rioli back and that was before the airport incident. Heard that from a former player who was still at the club at the time.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

 

[matthew_s]

Thing about mates is they understand you ....

there’s been plenty of family and friend groups who have been torn apart over anti-vax and COVID isn’t real nonsense

 

[MrKK]

there’s been plenty of family and friend groups who have been torn apart over anti-vax and COVID isn’t real nonsense

Which is a sad indictment on how intolerant people have become.