The GIANTS will unearth exciting speed machine Darcy Jones for his AFL debut in the club’s blockbuster ANZAC Day clash with the Lions in Canberra on Thursday night.
Taken with pick 21 in the 2022 Draft, Jones will take on last year’s grand finalists following a run of impressive VFL form after overcoming a wretched run with injuries in his first 12 months at the club.
Hailing from Western Australia, the dynamic small forward- who is recognised by his orange and charcoal helmet - will make his long-awaited debut on Thursday after missing almost his entire debut season with a torn ACL suffered in April last year.
Standing at just 175cm tall but blessed with elite goal sense and pace to burn, Jones was a standout on the track over the summer at the GIANTS before swelling in his knee and a bout of tonsilitis on the eve of the season delayed the start to his 2024 campaign.
Forced to work his way back through the GIANTS’ VFL side, the talented 20-year-old has starred at the lower level over the past month to earn himself an AFL debut for the huge round seven ANZAC Day clash in the nation’s capital.
Jones was surprised with the news by teammate, and fellow Western Australian, Sam Taylor, at his house late on Tuesday night.
“Are you serious…you are kidding,” the excited youngster said upon hearing the news.
“My heart is pounding…this is beyond crazy. I can’t wait to tell everyone.
“It’s a lifelong dream and I’m still shaking. I can’t believe it. it’s going to be crazy, and I can’t wait,” he exclaimed.
“There’s been a few setbacks but it’s probably been a blessing in disguise because it makes you work that much harder and you don’t take it for granted,” a shocked Jones added before quickly FaceTiming his parents back home in WA to share the news.
The GIANTS’ second debutant this season in addition to Harvey Thomas, Jones enters the AFL side averaging more than 17 touches and over a goal per game as a creative high half-forward across the club’s first three VFL games of the year.
Jones’ best game of the season to date came two weeks ago in the club’s VFL win over Sandringham, with the zippy livewire finishing with 22 touches and two goals to go along with four clearances in a standout performance.
A star for the Swan Districts and WA’s state team at under 18 level, Jones is sure to quickly become a favourite amongst GIANTS fans, with his dash and dare a real highlight of the exciting forward’s game.
Highlighting his athletic prowess, Jones holds the all-time AFL Draft Combine agility test record after smashing a 14-year record with a time of 7.70 seconds at the 2022 AFL Draft combine in Melbourne.
The speedy youngster was also the joint winner of the standing vertical jump test (75cm), while finishing fifth across the combine in the running vertical jump (87cm) and 20m sprint (2.912 sec).
Jones will make his debut under the bright lights of Manuka Oval as the GIANTS host the Lions in an ANZAC blockbuster at 7:30pm on Thursday night.
