The Western Bulldogs secured their fifth win of the season with a 27-point triumph over the struggling Giants in Sydney on Saturday afternoon. Displaying dominance throughout the match, the Bulldogs outperformed the Giants, finishing with 21 more inside 50s and 30 scoring shots. Despite their accuracy issues, which allowed the Giants to stay in contention, the Bulldogs ultimately proved too strong, earning a crucial four points away from home.
The Bulldogs’ goal-kicking was lackluster, recording 22 behinds and only eight goals. However, young forward Sam Darcy stood out by scoring two goals, the only player from his team to achieve multiple goals. Darcy, a highly praised father-son recruit, has impressed throughout the 2024 season, accumulating 18 goals in nine games during his first consistent season since being drafted in 2021.
Darcy’s remarkable performance raises the question of whether he can compete for the Rising Star award, given his eligibility and strong season performance. Many consider him a top contender alongside generational talent Harley Reid. One commentator on SEN’s Crunch Time expressed that Darcy could be the league’s best player in a few years, highlighting his unique abilities and exceptional athleticism. Comparisons were even made to NBA’s Victor Wembanyama for his rare skill set and physical advantages.
Darcy’s growth and ability to mark at the highest point are seen as significant strengths. Despite being a third-year player, his performance this season is outstanding, although this may be a factor in award considerations.
