GF replay a no-go for Eagle

WEST Coast forward Jack Darling says he still gets nervous watching replays of his team’s premiership triumph, revealing he even ordered his family to turn it off on Christmas Day.

Darling had a quiet first half in the five-point grandfinal win over Collingwood, but burst to life in the third quarter to play a crucial role in the triumph.

The 26-year-old, who took six marks and kicked a goal in that third term, cherishes the premiership win. But watching a replay of the match has proven to be tricky. “I get nervous if I watch it again,” Darling said yesterday. “I don’t really like it — I get that nervous feeling.

“On Christmas Day, the brothers-in-law were trying to watch it and I told them to turn it off just because I wanted to enjoy the day.

“It is just such a close game, you still feel nervous.” Darling dropped a simple mark near the goal square in the dying stages of the grand final, with the mistake giving Collingwood one final chance to snatch victory.

Luckily for Darling, the Eagles were able to hold on for the win. “I dropped the mark,” Darling said.

“I turned around to see if I could play on and kick the goal, so I just turned my head a bit too early and that caused me to fumble the ball.

“So (it was) a bit of a mistake and I was glad it didn’t cost us. Once that siren went, it was one of the best feelings.”

Darling was in careerbest form last season before suffering a serious ankle injury in round 11.