The 2019 season set itself up as somewhat of a crossroad for Darcy Parish. The promising midfielder played 15 games in 2018, five fewer than each of his first two seasons as he struggled to solidify a spot in the senior line-up.

Question marks still remained over Parish at the start of the season when he was unable to break his way into the side in round one, but an impressive performance in the VFL saw an immediate return and the rest is history.

It became a breakthrough season for the emerging onballer, who took advantage of more time in the midfield and repeatedly displayed his toughness and aggression around the ball.

Parish also proved more damaging than ever before in the red and black, averaging a career-high 3.3 inside 50s a game and booting a career-high 12 goals.

KEY STATS

Games: 21

Goals: 12

Average disposals: 20.6

Average tackles: 3.8

Average inside 50s: 3.3

Average clearances: 3.1

BEST PERFORMANCE

Fresh off a career-high 31 disposals against Richmond in the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash, Parish proved that was no fluke in a sensational performance the following week in round 11 against Carlton.

Parish thrived on the wet and wintry conditions at the MCG, cracking into every contest and showing his class with the ball in hand.

On a day where skills were generally sloppy, Parish was a class above his opponents with 31 disposals at 83.9 per cent efficiency, 13 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 429 metres gained and two goals.

Parish was at his best against the Blues in round 11. (Image: AFL Photos)

MIGHTY MOMENT

Okay, I may be cheating a tiny bit, but I’m willing to classify a couple of sneakily sensational plays from Parish in one single quarter as a Mighty Moment.

It was the final quarter against Adelaide in round 18 as the Bombers made their play for a remarkable comeback win and Parish stood up brilliantly.

The first moment was inside Essendon’s forward 50, when a triple effort led to a crucial Zach Merrett goal to get the Bombers off to a hot start in the last term. Parish intercepted a pass and fired out a handball that went back to ground before he laid an important tackle on Crow Rory Sloane, outmuscled the same opponent on the ground and popped out a sharp handball to Merrett to do the rest.

Later in the quarter, Parish attacked an incoming ball with venom inside the defensive 50 to beat out two opponents and rapidly dish off a clean handball (pictured below) that eventually resulted in another goal. It was a blink-and-you-miss-it moment many people may have missed, but I’m sure it wasn’t overlooked by the coaching staff.

Parish was clean under pressure against the Crows. (Image: AFL Photos)

2020 VISION

You can only expect Parish to be further utilised as a contested weapon on the ball next year having shown great development in that space in 2019.

If he can continue to boot more goals and improve again as an inside bull, then he is sure to lift the teammates around him and have another strong season.