Adam Simpson has declared that Jack Darling will line up for his first senior game of the year on Saturday.
The key forward has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his foot and spent his off-season in a moonboot.
He was not able to train with the main group all summer, but returned to football last weekend at East Perth, kicking five goals straight from 10 possessions.
Simpson said Darling had done enough to be considered for selection this week as the Eagles prepare to face Essendon at Domain Stadium.
“He’ll play this week,” Simpson told 3AW on Tuesday night.
“We won’t put too much pressure on him.
“He had a really good performance at East Perth and he’s a top-five player in our club, so he’s ticked the right box for me.”
While Simpson is satisfied with Darling’s progress, he has also been impressed by Jeremy McGovern’s commitment to “living an elite lifestyle”.
The cult hero was famously turned away from pre-season training in 2013 after arriving at the club after holidays out of shape, and he has since proved a revelation for the team.
“He’s doing everything he can to live an elite lifestyle and prepare as well as he can and I know he does, but it takes a few years to get to the point where it’s really professional,” Simpson said.
“He’s a traditional, what you see is what you get. He’s a classic, not country footballer, but he lives for playing.
“He’s a competitor and he’s still got some things to work through with his conditioning and how he goes about it, but I love his footy brain.
“He finds a way to get up every week and he’s getting the job done for us at the moment. But he’s still got a lot to learn, I think he’s played 16 or 17 games, so there’s a fair bit to learn still.”
Listen to Adam's full interview with 3AW below.
