Darcy Parish combines his down to earth nature with a hard working attitude according to Geelong Falcons Region Manager Michael Turner.

The Bombers number five draft pick was part of the Falcons program from the age of 15.

“He’s from a very down to earth family,” Turner said.

“His brother is in our program and the two younger brothers look like being good players also.

“They’re all down to earth.  Dad – as a shearer – works really hard and even this year Darcy was there helping him with the shearing. 

“He’s a really hard working kid.”

Parish averaged 28 possessions per game for the Falcons this season.

He was also an important player for Vic Country averaging 22 disposals in his four games in the National Championships.

“He’s got a great attitude, he’s a hard worker, he’s coachable, plays for the team and he obviously wins the football and makes good decisions,” Turner said.

“He doesn’t test extremely high.  He’s probably about average, but the one thing you can’t test is reading the ball.  It’s the same as Dyson Heppell who is a great player because he reads the ball so well.  Darcy is similar to that.

“He makes the decision and reads the play so quickly, he’s gone before the other players have thought about it.  

“I don’t think he played a bad game, he was very consistent.”

The Falcons program has produced some of the best players in the game over the last 15 years including Luke Hodge, Gary Ablett Jnr, Patrick Dangerfield and Travis Boak.

Turner said Parish’s output compares favourably to how those players performed when they were coming through the system. 

“He’s as good as any player that has gone through the Falcons and when I say that I mean at the same age,” he said.

“As a 17 and 18 year old he’s achieved the same as Jimmy Bartel in being a two-time All-Australian.

“I’m sure as long as he works hard – and I’m sure he will – he’ll turn into an elite AFL player.”