Eagles veteran Darling makes AFL trade request official
West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling is set to end his AFL career at North Melbourne after formally requesting a trade.
The 32-year-old has one year left to run on his contract but is eager to sign a multi-year with the Kangaroos, having completed a medical at Arden Street this week.
The Eagles confirmed Darling’s trade request in a brief statement on Wednesday.
“The club will now work with North Melbourne towards facilitating that request during next month’s trade period,” the West Coast statement said.
Darling struggled for form this year and was dropped when interim coach Jarrad Schofield took over from Adam Simpson.
He kicked 22 goals from 21 games in an Eagles team that finished third from bottom, above North Melbourne and last-placed Richmond.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has targeted Darling to add experience to his young playing list, with the veteran set to support spearhead Nick Larkey in attack.
Darling, who made his AFL debut in 2011, ranks second in West Coast history for both games played (298) and goals kicked (333) for the club.
He will fall narrowly short of becoming just the second Eagles player behind 2018 premiership captain Shannon Hurn (333) to reach the 300-game milestone.
Darling this week described himself as “durable” and declared his aim to extend his career for as long as possible.
“If that’s another two or three years at North, I think that would suit me and my family well,” Darling told Channel 10.
It shapes as a busy off-season for West Coast, who are reportedly down to the final three candidates – Andrew McQualter, Hayden Skipworth and Steven King – in their search for a new coach.
The Eagles are eager to land Richmond free agent Jack Graham, with fellow Tigers and WA products Liam Baker and Shai Bolton also linked to moves to their home state.
Elsewhere, Sydney’s Harry Cunningham has inked a new two-year contract extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2026.
The 30-year-old has played 206 games for the Swans over 13 seasons.
Gold Coast duo Nick Holman and Sean Lemmens have signed one-year contract extensions to remain with the club until the end of 2025.
