Arguably the best forward in the AFL in the first half of last year, Jack Darling is edging towards that rich vein of form again.

After signing a five-year contract last week, Darling again proved a decisive factor in the 13-point win over Melbourne in the red centre.

Imposing overhead, deft at ground level and taking his defensive capacity to high levels, he was the difference in this contest.

Where others had opportunities and missed, Darling mastered the tricky conditions, and nailed 4.0 in the Eagles’ tally of 14.7.

The community feel around TIO Traeger Park meant the players were exposed to a flukey breeze and Darling was one of the few unperturbed by the unusual situation.

He had 16 possessions, 11 of them contested, and took nine marks in a commanding performance.

Not only that, but he clamped on an important run-down tackle in the last quarter as the Demons were on the march from their defensive half.  

Darling has now kicked 43 goals to be in third place for the Coleman Medal race (leader Jeremy Cameron has 54) and is on target to be the club’s leading goal-kicker for the third time.