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Find your Sport Nation frequency“Mind-blowing”: Cornes’ massive statement on emerging star
Jaiden Sciberras • April 7th, 2025 10:43 am
Sam Darcy had another phenomenal performance for the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, dominating in the front half in the eventual 16-point loss to Fremantle.
The 21-year-old filled the stat sheet, booting five goals to go with 21 disposals, 11 marks, nine score involvements and three clearances at 71 per cent efficiency.
After an awe-inspiring start to the season, Kane Cornes believes at this current moment, Darcy may well be at the pinnacle of the AFL.
“I’ve got a statement for you this morning,” Cornes told SEN’s Fireball.
“Sam Darcy is now the best player in the competition. Sam Darcy is the best footballer in the country right now.
“That is amazing. I did a top 50 (AFL player ranking) in the preseason, and I think I had him in the 20s.
“His development and improvement is mind-blowing, and what is he, 21?
“What’s he going to be? And is there any danger that someone can help him? If you are playing alongside of him, you have the best job in football.
“The (Lachlan) McNeil goal late was just as a result of how paranoid Fremantle became on Darcy, where McNeil’s opponent goes back to help in the air against Darcy, did the right thing, Darcy crashes the pack and McNeil kicks the goal.”
While Darcy’s performances leave nothing up to debate, Cornes has called out the key forward’s teammates, particularly in the front-end of the ground.
Across the first four games, Darcy’s 12 goals make up nearly a quarter of the Bulldogs’ majors, with fellow tall forwards Aaron Naughton and James O’Donnell combining for just eight goals.
“This is frightening but they need someone to come along with him,” Cornes continued.
“If I’m Darcy, if I’m a Western Bulldogs fans, if I’m Luke Beveridge, how upset would you be at Aaron Naughton’s lack of anything.
“Nine years they gave this guy, and he just has to contribute, and he has been unable to contribute.
“Until they get some help for Darcy it’s a lone hand, but I’ve never seen anything like it. As I said a few weeks ago its Wayne Carey-esque and it’s going to be exciting to watch.”
David King was well on board with the bold statement, commenting on Darcy’s ability to use the ball unlike any other key forward in the competition.
“He made Alex Pearce look like a B-grader,” King said.
“He was doing his best, I’m not having a go at him, he just made him look like he couldn’t compete.
“He had a 25-rated game yesterday, for a key forward. If you average 14 for the year you are probably All-Australian. Forwards don’t do this.
“There was a handball that he did in the corridor inside 50 that should have set up a goal. It was a 15-metre inboard handball.
“His kicking on his left like he’s Darren Kappler, and then his goal kicking is pure.
“I just love how they are prepared now to go to him at any time, because they know what they’ve got.”
With top-end talent out with injury, the Bulldogs have showed plenty of promise, winning two games and falling just short in two other contests against strong opposition in their opening four games.
Gather Round will prove a major challenge for the side as they take on the Brisbane Lions at Norwood Oval this Saturday afternoon.
Darcy's 12 goals so far in 2025 has him sitting just two behind joint Coleman leaders Nick Larkey and Riley Thilthorpe.
