#2 Darcy Jones (Pick 21, 2022 National Draft)

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Position: Outside midfielder, small forward
Height: 175cm
Weight: 67kg
D.O.B: 03-04-2004
Teams: WA, Swans District

SNAPSHOT: “A tenacious and zippy midfielder with an eye for goal, Jones has proven size does not matter to put his name on the radar of many clubs.”

STRENGTHS:
  • Acceleration
  • Accumulation
  • Agility
  • Consistency
  • Run-and-carry
  • Scoreboard impact
IMPROVEMENTS:
  • Kicking on the run
  • Size
He thrives in the contest, using his speed and agility to get first hands to the ball and evade would-be tacklers as if they were cones in a training drill. He faced an uphill battle to make it in the midfield for WA, but his strong form early in the season saw him become one of the first names on the whiteboard come the National Championships. He has taken every opportunity that has come his way at Colts, State, Reserves and League level to impress recruiters with his ability to get plenty of the ball and impact the scoreboard.

A strong year by Jones, he has done well to consistently be a key player in any team he has played for this season. A midfielder by trade, he uses his size to his advantage when hunting down the ball on the deck or off of his ruckman’s hand. His strong form in 2022 saw him called up to the League side for Swan Districts, where he played more mixed minutes rotating between the forward line and his favoured midfield spot, catching the eye with a 13-disposal and two-goal game on debut, backed up by a 19-disposal two-goal game, enviable numbers for sure.

His acceleration and agility are his two strongest attributes without doubt, but once Jones has the footy in his hands, he shows great composure and vision to take on challenging kicks to put his side in the best possible position to score. Playing against the boys his age in the WAFL Colts, Jones averaged over 25 touches, a goal and more than four tackles a game this season, though as far as a clear area of improvement is concerned, putting on the weight and size to be more potent with his tackling will certainly be on the agenda.

Once the game is broken open and the field is more spread, Jones sets up well around the ground to help put the pressure on opposition counter attacks. He pairs this spatial awareness with his speed when on a fast break to create an option for his teammates on the outside, always looking to get the ball forward quickly to score. He possesses an incredible vertical leap, which allows him to make a strong presence in marking contests against taller opposition.

His sharp eye in front of goal helps further separate him from other midfielders of his ilk. With 12 goals from 11 games across all three WAFL grades, Jones once again uses his sharp acceleration to burst out of a pack when around the 50-metre arc and provide himself some time to settle when looking to score on the run. This eye for goal was best shown off in his three-goal haul against Claremont in Round 4 of the Colts season, the best of which a set shot from just inside the boundary on the right flank nearly 50 metres out - an unlikely goal for even the best of forwards, let alone this tenacious mid.

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Darcy Jones Draft Profile

Swan Districts speedster has defied his size this season to put up terrific numbers across all three levels of WAFL football.
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Jones Re-Signs

Draftee Darcy Jones has put pen to paper on a new deal.
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First-round draftee Darcy Jones has signed a new two-year extension with the GIANTS, keeping him at the club until the end of 2026.

Jones, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury suffered in March, has ensured he’ll be in the orange and charcoal for the first four years of his career after being drafted to the club last November. GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney said the club is thrilled to extend Jones’ contract. “We’re really excited to know Darcy will be in the orange and charcoal for another two years,” he said.
“He’s come in with a great attitude and work ethic and the form he showed on the training track across pre-season was super exciting. He brings speed and goal sense to our side and he’s working hard in his rehabilitation and looking forward to the next pre-season. All our draftees have fit in seamlessly at the club with Darcy the third of last year’s draft crop to have already extended their contracts with the GIANTS.”
 
Great they signed him up. Tough in rehab and hope it brings his spirits up.
Heard in good knowledge within he was absolutely tearing up the training track in preseason. Cannot wait to see him in the mosquito fleet with Daniels and Bedford.


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Kingsley Full of Praise for Debutant

Adam Kingsley had plenty of praise for debutant Darcy Jones following his performance in Canberra.
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Kingsley had plenty of praise for debutant Darcy Jones who was electric in his first game. The livewire forward lit up Manuka Oval with a brilliant running goal in the first term before finding another major late in the piece. Drafted with pick No.21 in the 2022 draft, Jones' first season was cruelled by injury after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his first appearance for the GIANTS' VFL side. After toiling away in the VFL to start this season, the speedy forward finally earned the call-up this week to replace suspended skipper Toby Greene.

"He looked electric, he looked like every time he was near the ball something was going to happen," Kingsley said. "I think he showed really good composure for a guy playing his first game. He played half a VFL game last year before he did his knee, then he's played three games this year. It's not a lot of footy and for him to come in, he's got real class, he's got speed, he's very skilful. I was really pleased for him because it's been a challenging 12 months and for him to finally break his way into the team and have an impact on the night, I was really pleased for him."
 
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Why X-factor Giant sees torrid injury run as a 'blessing in disguise'

Despite suffering an ACL tear in his first game for the Giants and then another injury set-back on the eve of the 2024 season, Darcy Jones says it may have been the best thing for him
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A CRUEL injury run was the only thing stopping Darcy Jones from showcasing his electrifying talents earlier on in his AFL journey, but the classy Giant says it's been a "blessing in disguise" for him.

It's rare for a player so young to have so much perspective in the infancy of their career, but Jones has it in abundance. An ACL tear for the speedster in his first year followed by an injury flare-up and illness at the start of this season halted what looked to be a likely Opening Round debut. But his scintillating debut on Anzac Day against Brisbane and a 14-disposal, one-goal game in the derby loss to Sydney has shown that keeping up with Jones is no easy task.

And while his recent injury run was immensely frustrating, Jones feels it may have been the best thing for him. "Looking back at it now, I see it as a blessing in disguise," Jones told AFL.com.au. "I think, sometimes, players can take playing footy for granted, even training, and I certainly don't now. I love every minute of it, and make sure I do everything I can to the best of my ability. Especially missing the whole season (in 2023). Obviously, I had to work pretty hard and I missed a lot of football and when that was all finished, I made the most of it and did all I could."

With his express pace and skill, Jones hasn't wasted any time in making the impression that so many at the Giants felt he would. The Swan Districts product's blinding pace is enough reason to stand out, but the 20-year-old's grey and charcoal coloured helmet doesn't hurt either when it comes to garnering attention. Jones says it's an accessory that has been with him for long enough now that it's here to stay. It would've been maybe year eight in high school, I used to play a lot of inside junior football and I think there was a two-week period, where I got a couple of minor head knocks," he said. "I just sat down with Mum and Dad at dinner one night, and we asked the question and I was like, 'Yeah, why not? Let's give it a try'. It's just stuck ever since, and I don't think I'll ever take it off. It'd probably feel a bit weird if I didn't wear it. There's been a lot of research behind it. It's not massive for protection against concussion. It obviously helps a little bit. But it just helps a lot with confidence, and it keeps the sweat out of my eyes."

Jones has shown that he possesses no shortage of confidence or belief when it comes to expressing himself on the field. But along with fellow emerging small forward Harvey Thomas, he admits they're happy to lean on the likes of Brent Daniels in attack as the unofficial leaders of the Giants' diminutive attacking group. "(Daniels) and Toby Bedford, I'd say, would, without a doubt, be the leaders of us. They look out for us and help us with anything we need. And they've obviously done it for a fair few years, so they're great people to lean off and learn off," Jones said.

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Congratulations, Darcy Jones! :D

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Dazzling Darcy Named Round 17 Rising Star

Darcy Jones has been named the AFL Telstra Rising Star nominee for round 17 after a starring performance against the Blues.
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Dazzling Darcy Named Round 17 Rising Star​

Darcy Jones has been named the AFL Telstra Rising Star nominee for round 17 after a starring performance against the Blues.

GIANTS speed machine Darcy Jones has been named the AFL’s Telstra Rising Star nominee for round 17 after his eye-catching performance in Saturday’s huge win over Carlton.

Playing just his fifth AFL game, Jones was one of the GIANTS’ best as he showcased his blistering pace and elite agility to play a starring role in the club’s thrilling 12-point win over Carlton at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday night.

The electric small forward finished Saturday’s clash with 18 touches, a now trademark running goal, seven score involvements, four marks, four inside-50s and a number of brilliant defensive efforts.

The impressive display was Jones’ first game at AFL level since round 10 following a hamstring injury, with the 20-year-old earning his way back into the side after two starring VFL performances following his rehab.

Jones’ Rising Star nomination comes following a tough start to his AFL journey, with the exciting youngster forced to miss almost his entire debut season last year following an ACL injury suffered in April, after being taken with pick 21 by the GIANTS in the 2022 Draft.

The talented West Australian was on track to make his long-awaited debut early this season before swelling in his knee and a bout of tonsilitis on the eve of the season further delayed his AFL debut.

Finally fit and firing, Jones returned to the field through the early stages of the VFL season where he thrilled across three games to finally break through for his AFL debut where he shone with 15 touches and two goals in the club’s big win over the Lions on ANZAC Day in round seven.

Playing four straight games following his brilliant debut, Jones injured his hamstring in round 10 against the Bulldogs before returning to the field through the VFL followed by Saturday’s brilliant AFL return against the Blues on Saturday night.

Standing at just 175cm tall, Jones’ eye-catching speed and agility - as well as his orange and charcoal helmet - have quickly made him a fan favourite amongst not only the Orange Army but fans across the competition.

Highlighting the club’s excitement surrounding the small forward, Jones was signed to a two-year contract extension last year before he had played a game for the club to tie him to the GIANTS until at least the end of 2026.

GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said Jones’ Rising Star nomination was well deserved.

“It’s fantastic to see Darcy rewarded with a Rising Star nomination after a great performance in what was a huge win for the club on Saturday night,” McCartney said.

“He has obviously had some early hurdles in his career after missing most of his first season with an ACL, but to his credit he’s worked extremely hard to get back and he’s already shown what an exciting talent he is.

“He has blistering speed and agility but the pressure that he applies on the opposition and the composure he shows are also at a very high level and it’s exciting what he can develop into at our footy club.

Jones is the club’s second Rising Star nominee of the season, following first year forward Harvey Thomas’ nomination in round 14.
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Great story on young Darcy Jones.

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'Surreal moment': The kid with the lid's rapid rise to cult hero status

Darcy Jones never thought twice about wearing his helmet, but his look has become somewhat iconic since bursting onto the scene this season
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THEY don't sell them just yet, but Greater Western Sydney might have to start stocking the signature helmets in the shop at the Vailo Community Centre, given the seismic impact Darcy Jones has had across his first six games.

Before the West Australian started wearing the bespoke orange and charcoal Steeden helmet, Caleb Daniel and Angus Brayshaw were members of a rare brethren of modern day wearers. St Kilda great Nathan Burke and triple-premiership Lion Shaun Hart cut iconic figures in the 90s and early 2000s, but they are a dying breed.

Jones has always worn a helmet. The only difference now is it's being lauded on TV and radio by analysts, with carefully curated memes crafted in conjunction, setting social media alight.

"It is quite funny; I really didn't expect it to be that much of a thing. I've worn it my whole life and never thought anything of it. Now I'm in the AFL, it has kind of become a big thing," Jones told AFL.com.au in the rooms after the Giants' win over Richmond on Sunday.

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Darcy Ready To Dial It Up

GIANTS livewire Darcy Jones says he’s excited about what he can achieve in 2025 with a full pre-season under his belt.
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GIANTS livewire Darcy Jones says he’s excited about what he can achieve in 2025 with a full pre-season under his belt, while also sharing the side’s enthusiasm around new recruit Jake Stringer.

Dubbed ‘the kid with the lid’, the helmet-wearing speed machine burst onto the scene as the AFL’s newest cult figure in 2024 with several eye-catching performances following his debut in round seven. Drafted by the GIANTS in the first round of the 2022 Draft, Jones was quick to impress in his debut pre-season at the club before a host of pre-season injury niggles were followed by the cruel blow of a ruptured ACL in April 2023 as he pushed for an AFL debut.

After taking out the GIANTS’ Rising Star Award in 2024 following 14 impressive appearances despite an interrupted pre-season, Jones is eager to see what he can achieve in 2025 after a full summer on the track.

“I was pretty happy with my year last year [2024] and I had a few upsets in the pre-season so I’m pretty excited to have a full pre-season to see where that can get me next year,” Jones said. “My body is feeling great. I’ve worked pretty hard over the off season to kind of put on a bit of weight but also keep my running at a high level and I’m feeling great at the moment. My main goal [in pre-season] is to build a little bit of weight and strength while also keeping my speed and agility. I don’t want to get too big but I just want to get a little bit stronger to break a few tackles and tackle a bit more, so that’s the main goal for me.”
 

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#2 Darcy Jones (Pick 21, 2022 National Draft)

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