THE SATISFACTION of achieving something a young man worked so hard to achieve is the ultimate reward for Darcy Tucker, according to AFL Victoria country and North Ballarat Rebels talent manager Phil Partington.
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Partington said the challenge now was for Tucker to remain in the AFL system.
“He’s done the easy part. Now he’s got to stay in the system,” he said.
“It’s going to be a challenge for him, but he’s the ultimate professional with everything he does.”
Partington – who has watched Tucker progress through the TAC Cup ranks to captain of the Rebels in 2015 – said he deserves his place on an AFL list.
“You see a boy who’s worked extremely hard for so long to get an opportunity,” he said.
“To see him get that is so satisfying, not only for the family, but for the Horsham Saints and Rebels.
“It’s great for the program. That’s the beauty of being involved with football.”
Tucker is set to join former Rebels listed players Tanner Smith and Nick Suban at Fremantle.
Partington believes the wide open spaces of Domain Stadium should suit Tucker’s strengths as a player.
“He’s played his best footy in Western Australia for Vic Country so having a big, open ground and good conditions will suit his game and running style,” he said.
“No doubt the club has seen that in him. The recruiters are over the moon.”
Partington said the end of the National Draft was a weight off the shoulders of hundreds of nervous, young players.
“They’ve done so much hard work and been scrutinised for so long in the TAC Cup system, by recruiters and the Academy,” he said.
