I’m ready now, says Darling

JACK Darling insists he is not haunted by the 2015 grand final. And instead of hoping he will do better in his second crack at it today, the star forward says he knows there won’t be a repeat of that nightmare performance against Hawthorn.

Darling admits he was swept up in the hype three years ago and was guilty of ball watching on his way to just 10 disposals and one goal in West Coast’s 46-point thumping from the Hawks.

A dropped mark and fumble in the third quarter has been a moment he has struggled to shake.

“In 2015 I was pretty flat with the way I performed,” Darling revealed. “I knew I could have played a lot better but I was probably just swept up in the big day.

“I watched the replay in 2015. It doesn’t haunt me at all, I don’t even think about it. I am just so excited for this opportunity. I just know I’ll do better. I’m just so much clearer.

“I felt like I was ball watching a bit in the grand final. It was just all so surreal and Hawthorn played really well. I’m just so excited to bring my strengths to the game on the weekend.

“I feel like I’ve made some good steps. I’ve improved as a player, just really clear on my role and what I have to do and bring to the side.

“I don’t have to kick three or four, five goals, it would be nice, but I just have to make a contest.

“Just like Jack Riewoldt does at Richmond.”