Picture Jack Darling at his imposing best and what do you see? 

Many West Coast fans would envisage the hulking, broad-shouldered specimen flying high and plucking the Sherrin out of the air with one vice-like grab. 

Perhaps you visualise the big No.27’s pure athleticism to lead up to the wings and push hard to work over his opponents on the way back to the attacking 50, all while regularly playing 100 per cent game time. 

Or his ability to rapidly close down space on smaller opponents once the ball hits the deck to help lock the play inside the Eagles’ dangerous zone. 

Along with his deadeye set shot, right leg extended high as he sends the ball straight as an arrow towards goal, those are the characteristics that Darling has built his exceptional 257-game and nearly 500 goal (484) career on. 

So, to witness the premiership forward below his physical peak early in 2022 was unfamiliar to say the least. 

When Darling arrived back at training on the eve of round one he was seemingly still in ripping condition after a stint away from the club.

But recovery from a foot injury ruled him out of the season-opener, and the 30-year-old probably would have benefited from a graduated return to play. Certainly, more match practice than just game simulation with the WAFL Eagles. 

However, only one week later, he was among a mind-blowing 14 inclusions against North Melbourne as the club grappled with an availability crisis caused by COVID and a nightmare injury run. 

To say Darling was underdone was an understatement, and to make matters worse he cracked a rib against the Roos, meaning the physicality he bases his game around suddenly became even more of a challenge. 

That he was able to overcome that tough start, not miss a game after round one, and perform strongly in the second half of the campaign – all in a struggling team with scarce supply to the forward line - was testament to his hard work and mental strength. 

The end result was a fourth-placed finish in the John Worsfold Medal – matching his previous best result from his second season in 2012 – and the sixth time in 12 seasons Darling has achieved a top five finish. 

“I was really underdone coming back with the foot issue, but I put my hand up to play. It took me a while to get into it,” a candid Darling conceded. 

“The first game against North Melbourne I cracked a rib as well, so that wasn’t nice. I tried wearing a rib guard for the next four-to-six weeks to help me deal with that. 

“(A rib injury makes it difficult) especially when that’s my go, is the physicality. You probably don’t go as hard bumping people or using your body strength. 

“You try and use other ways, try and play your opponent on the other side as well so you don’t open yourself up. 

“It wasn’t too bad. With a rib guard on it protected it a fair bit but in the back of your head it plays on your mind a little bit. 

“I feel like I worked into the season a bit with getting some good training in and (forwards coach) Luke Webster helped me out with building a barrier of confidence to go into each game.”

Any forward will tell you it’s not all about goals, but for the 10th season Darling kicked at least 30 majors (34 in 2022) - and in a side that averaged only 40 inside 50s per game. 

His tally included an equal career-best bag of six-straight goals against Gold Coast in round 20, earning him two Brownlow Medal votes and full marks from Eagles coaches.

The next week, West Coast farewelled Darling’s long-time partner, legendary spearhead Josh Kennedy, bringing to an end an incredible decade for the club with arguably the best key forward combination in the League. 

An attack without Kennedy will take some getting used to, but 2023 will hopefully see the blossoming of another fruitful partnership with Darling alongside returning young gun Oscar Allen. 

“JK and I worked really well together. It’s going to definitely feel different,” Darling said. 

“I was the one who would venture out to the wings whereas he would stay a bit deeper, especially the last few years. 

“I’m looking forward to playing with Oscar. He’s shown he can take a good mark and he’s a pretty reliable set shot, so hopefully we get more delivery next year and he can try and open up the game for us a bit more out on the wings and kick some goals. 

“JK was a very good, very smart forward as well with his leading patterns, so I learnt a lot off JK. 

“He’s going to be very missed around the club. He was the spiritual leader around the boys.”