Darling keeping it simple to beat MCG hoodoo

Even though he may not know the exact reason for his great form, West Coast Eagle Jack Darling is as settled and sure of himself as he has ever been.

And as a result, he is playing inspired football.

Married to wife Courtney and with son Max about to turn one, Darling, along with North Melbourne’s Ben Brown, has been the standout forward so far in 2018.

He has taken the most contested marks of anyone in the AFL along with the most marks inside 50. And despite a goalless match against the Hawks, he remains in 2nd place in the Coleman Medal race.

In an exclusive interview on 9 News tonight, he talks about the simple focuses he has leading into each game.

“I’d like to have been playing this way 4 or 5 weeks ago. I don’t know, I can’t’ say, but it’s just sort of clicked," Darling said.

And like many young first time fathers, Darling talks about his son in glowing terms.

"He’s really lit up our lives. He’s amazing, every moment is very special and just enjoying our time being parents.”

He’s also opens up about getting back to the MCG in finals and performing on the big stage.

"I didn’t perform the way I wanted back in 2015. I think now with the way I’m paying if I could tell younger Jack what I should be doing, I think I’d play a better game and we’d take our chances,” he said.

I’ve watched Darling and the Eagles closely to date this season, and while better ball movement and more supply of the ball inside 50 has helped, it’s been his physicality in the marking contest which has improved the most.

Jack Darling has proven the doubters wrong so far this year.

He has a long way to go to get what he really wants. But together with his young family and a more mature outlook, he appears on track to have an All-Australian year and perhaps even redemption in big finals.

Matthew Pavlich’s exclusive interview with Jack Darling goes to air on 9 News tonight.