The Western Bulldogs are all but resigned to the fact they’ll be without Sam Darcy indefinitely, with the emerging superstar’s gruesome knee hyperextension souring an emphatic 71-point win over St Kilda on Sunday night.
As Darcy went down in considerable pain during the 24th minute of the first quarter, alarm bells would rightly have been ringing in the box of Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge after losing the most in-form forward of the competition.
But a hard-nosed effort after quarter time made sure the Saints never recovered, with the Bulldogs’ performance personified by Darcy’s involvement with teammates post-game; despite a suspected ACL tear in his left knee.
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Speaking to journalists post-game, premiership coach Beveridge was proud of the way his side responded after their slow start at Marvel Stadium, which saw them concede three of the first four goals of the match.
“I didn’t think for a minute that the players deviated from what the challenge was, or were affected in a detrimental way because of what may have happened to Sam,” the Bulldogs’ longest-serving coach said.
“They held it together … it was important that we stuck to task.”
“I can’t really elaborate (on Darcy’s injury) until the medicos have got the results of a scan. It’s fair to say that we’re a bit concerned, but I don’t know, so there’s no use me even trying (to elaborate).
“Let’s not speculate, but I think the important thing is … Sam comes in (to the rooms), he knows that he might have a serious knee injury, but he’s in the huddle (with) arms around his teammates, singing the song. It just shows what sort of character he is.
“If we lose him for a while, then we’ve just got to do it a different way and look after him.”
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Heading into the Round 6 clash, Darcy had kicked 14 goals from five games this season to assert himself as one of the competition’s best emerging key forwards — alongside Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe and Fremantle’s Josh Treacy.
The Bulldogs have played with as many as four key forwards in their attacking 50 in recent years, but with Rory Lobb moving to defence and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan on indefinite leave from the club, the reins look well and truly in the hands of Aaron Naughton.
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After a quiet start, the 25-year-old handled the added attention and pressure with conviction, kicking three goals and two behinds after the opening break to go with his five marks inside 50 and four entries inside the attacking arc.
“I thought he really stood up and put his leadership hat in the ring. He probably missed some chances too to really get some spoils, but really happy with the way he responded after quarter time,” Beveridge told media post-match.
“Early in the game, he probably wasn’t quite where we needed him to be, even with Sam there. So it was a pretty important role he played tonight that.”
A young Dog who was also full of praise for ‘Naughts’ after the victory was Joel Freijah, who was glowing of the 149-gamer and his fellow forwards.
“I thought ‘Naughts’ was great; there were a lot of other forwards that stood up with him as well. Buku (Khamis), who’s normally playing down back, went forward and competed really well and did some selfless stuff,” Freijah told foxfooty.com.au in the changerooms.
“The smalls as well, Rhylee West, Lachie McNeil — I thought they were terrific. It was a really good team performance.”
The 19-year-old Freijah has starred since debuting at senior level last year, and in the absence of his skipper Marcus Bontempelli, has been exposed to a role in the midfield perhaps quicker than he would have otherwise.
His 24 disposals, 10 score involvements, six clearances, 424 metres gained and two goals played a vital role in helping his side fire back at the Saints.
Unsurprisngly, the well-spoken Horsham product is relishing his opportunity to play various roles under Beveridge and learn from the best in the business at ‘The Kennel’.
“There’s been opportunity there, but I’m just grateful for the support around me. The boys and coaching staff have been really good, and I’ve really enjoyed my time in there so far,” Freijah told this masthead.
“I’ve lent on ‘Libba’ (Tom Liberatore) and Ed Richards; they’ve been two really good guys as the main ones. Coaching wise, Brendon Lade and Jarryn Geary have been awesome for my development.”
Freijah also gave a passing word on the injured Darcy, who has regularly been on the end of his kicking inside forward 50 to start 2025.
“Sam’s a great teammate and a great guy to be around. We’re very fortunate to have him at the club, and I love kicking it to him up forward.”
Sitting at 3-3, the Bulldogs face a six-day break before taking on modern-day rivals GWS in Canberra at Manuka Oval.
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