READY TO SHINE
WEST Coast forward Jack Darling has achieved football clarity and he hopes it will help him earn redemption for his 2015 grand final flop.
Darling looms as a key figure in Saturday’s Grand Final against Collingwood at the MCG.
The 26-year-old has been in the form of his life, booting a career-high 47 goals.
Darling kicked 3.3 and snared seven marks in Saturday’s 66-point preliminary final trouncing of Melbourne, while spearhead Josh Kennedy kicked four first-half goals.
West Coast is 12-0 when Kennedy and Darling have played together this season.
The pair now have the chance to erase the memories of their poor displays in West Coast’s 46-point loss to Hawthorn in the 2015 decider.
Kennedy went goalless from nine disposals while Darling managed 1.1 from 10 touches — with his nightmare dropped mark in the third quarter etched in the memory of fans.
“I’m a much different player now,” Darling said.
“I’m really clear in my role and what I have to do.
“I might not kick four or five goals but if it’s two versus one, I just make a contest.
“I don’t want to get beaten in the air. I want to win it, or bring it to ground for the smalls.”
Twelve Eagles players from the 2015 decider will front up against the Magpies.
Darling said having experienced what a Grand Final was like would hold the group in good stead.
“We’ve been there before so we’ll know what to expect,” he said. “It’s not going to be such a whirlwind, so hopefully we’ll be more settled. We’re really mature and we’re reading the game and what the game needs at certain times.”
West Coast coach Adam Simpson is confident Jeremy McGovern and Luke Shuey will be fit.
McGovern copped a knee to his hip early, while Shuey injured his left ankle.
Scans have cleared Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe of any serious damage to his left ankle, freeing him to play in the Grand Final.
Defender Darcy Moore will be aiming to push his selection case after recovering from a hamstring setback but his history of breaking down in games will count against him.
West Coast, which was tipped to miss the finals at the start of the season, has bucked the odds to reach the final game in September.
Its preliminary final demolition of Melbourne was irresistible. But Darling said it was a stepping stone to what the Eagles wanted to achieve.
“It’s good to get into the Grand Final but we’re not satisfied,” he said. “We really haven’t done anything yet.
“In 10 years you will only remember the premiers.”