Sean Darcy is ready to embrace the challenge of being Aaron Sandilands’ replacement after signing a contract extension at Fremantle.
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The ruck giant will remain with the Dockers until at least the end of 2022 after inking a new two-year deal.
Darcy, who was drafted via Hampden league club Cobden, was already locked in until 2020.
The Victorian said it was an easy decision to remain in Western Australia and be a part of the Dockers’ rebuild.
“As a group we have a great chemistry and we are all really close,” he said.
“It was an easy decision from my end and I am really excited for the future at Freo.
“I am close with a lot of the boys so I am loving it here.
"(Coach) Ross (Lyon) has been unreal for me during the past two years and I’m enjoying developing with a young group.”
Darcy, who honed his skills at TAC Cup club Geelong Falcons, is expected to takeover Fremantle’s number one ruck spot from four-time All-Australian and two-time club best and fairest Sandilands in coming seasons.
The 2019 season is tipped to be 36-year-old Sandilands’ final campaign.
A knee injury stifled Darcy’s output in his second season, restricting him to seven games for a career total of 15.
The strong-bodied Darcy, 20, has averaged 33.7 hit outs per match – more than the likes of Sandilands, Brodie Grundy, Nic Naitanui and Max Gawn at the same point in their careers.
Fremantle general manager of football Peter Bell said Darcy’s contract extension was a vote of confidence in the Dockers’ direction.
“Sean is a talented young ruckman who has already made a significant impact on the field,” he said.
“It’s safe to say we’ve been spoiled by the contribution of Aaron Sandilands for almost two decades, and while we expect that to continue, having Sean sign on means we can head into the future with confidence.”
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