It’s easy to forget the learning curve that allowed Essendon star Darcy Parish to emerge as one of the game’s elite midfielders.
After a few seasons of trying to crack into the Bombers’ on-ball brigade, Parish’s breakout season in 2021 was well-documented, fleshing out his overall game and establishing himself as a first-rate ball winner.
Speaking to teammate and close friend Andrew McGrath on the One on One podcast, Parish is adamant that despite the positional frustration early in his career, the lessons learnt have proven invaluable to his growth as a player and person.
“You come in as a young guy at the top of the tree and think you can do anything and play any position, but you’re pretty much starting from scratch here again once you get to an AFL list,” Parish said.
“I was getting a little bit angry (around my third or fourth year), not playing in my position where I’d played all my junior football. Looking back on it, you’ve got to be patient, you’ve got so many more areas of the game to learn than just hunting the ball.”
Amidst the learning experience, Parish cited being left out of the Bombers’ round one side in 2019 as a hurdle which signified a major turning point in his career.
Fuelling him into form, Parish is still viewing his output today with room for self-improvement.
“(Being dropped) hit me because I’d never been said ‘no’ to ever before, but I went back and worked on my craft, made my way back into the side and haven’t looked back since,” Parish said.
“I’m obviously not complete yet and still want to work on areas of my game, but (it’s just about knowing) your time will come and that everything works out for a reason.”
Breaking into an AFL midfield is a challenge that Parish would eventually overcome with aplomb, nearing his 150th game with an All-Australian jacket to his name.
With that, Parish is able to see similarities between his early experiences and those of his younger teammates, looking to guide them and impart some of his own teaching.
“I think we’re advancing kids like Ben Hobbs and Jye Caldwell really quickly. They’re probably in the same position I was in, and you fight an uphill battle with yourself,” Parish said.
“I obviously had that breakout a few years ago, and now it’s more about focusing on others and the impact I can have by trying to get others into the game. Little craft things I work on with ‘Hobbsy’ and Jye has had a massive impact on them.”
Still only 25 years of age, Parish isn’t a veteran by many calculations, but among a young core of Bombers has found himself as a leader, a notion he admitted wasn’t on the radar early in his career.
Alongside McGrath and Captain Zach Merrett, Parish is now relishing learning the ropes as a senior head for the group to rely on, willing to step to the plate.
“It’s been great for me (mentoring the younger boys). You get to the point where you can’t do it all alone and that’s something I’m working through with ‘Zachy’ on how to bring others along with me for the ride.”
“You see more areas of growth off the field and with your leadership. We’re not the oldest guys out there, but we still have a responsibility to lead by example.”
