Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Sean Darcy has endured plenty of bad luck in recent years, but if the football gods finally smile on him, the out-of-favour Fremantle ruckman could snare two premierships in the space of seven days.
Darcy was once Fremantle’s prized ruckman, but injuries and a dip in form have resulted in him slipping to third in the pecking order, behind Luke Jackson and Mason Cox.
Cox will again be preferred as Jackson’s sidekick for Friday night’s preliminary final blockbuster against Sydney at the SCG.
That will leave Darcy, who sat out of WAFL duties last week due to a knock to the knee, to front up for Peel Thunder in Sunday’s grand final against Claremont.
A big showing on the WAFL grand stage – or an injury to either Cox or Jackson against Sydney – would give Darcy a chance to earn a recall for the AFL grand final on September 26 if the Dockers make it.
In 2019, Richmond’s Marlion Pickett famously won two flags in the space of a week after he followed up his VFL triumph by snaring a premiership with the Tigers in his first AFL game.
Darcy could achieve a similar feat if luck falls his way over the next fortnight, and Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was full of praise for the way the 28-year-old had carried himself around the club while keeping himself in contention.
“He’s been great,” Longmuir said of Darcy, who has battled calf, knee and concussion setbacks this year.
“He’s been able to hide his disappointment, if he’s had any. He’s been giving energy to the group.
“He’s been working on his game, and I think he’s been improving his game.”
Fremantle defender Brennan Cox is in a similar situation to Darcy.
Cox hasn’t played since injuring his calf in the final-round loss to Carlton.
Even before that setback Cox was battling some niggles, meaning it would take a brave call from Longmuir to pick him for Friday’s preliminary final.
Cox may need to prove his fitness via the WAFL grand final, which would potentially open the door for a fairytale Dockers call-up for the AFL decider if the Flagmantle dream is still alive.
Darcy, Cox and Brandon Walker (ankle) all trained on Tuesday, leaving Longmuir with plenty of options for this week and next.
