Exciting young onballer Darcy Parish says his encouraging 2019 season has him confident of taking the next step this year.
Drafted as a silky midfielder with the fifth selection in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Parish was treated to many opportunities on the ball in his first season at The Hangar.
Subsequent years saw Parish spend more time in the forward line upon the return of a number of senior teammates, culminating in a challenging 2018 season where the young gun struggled to solidify a spot in the senior side.
But the last 12 months have seen Parish take huge strides developing his midfield craft, with the now-seasoned Bomber returning to his favoured position in the centre and thriving as an inside bull.
Parish’s sharp skills and grit in the contest were particular features of an impressive 2019 campaign and he is keen to use his performances as a springboard heading forward.
“It gave me a lot of confidence,” Parish said at the club’s Family Day event on Saturday.
“I took my time to step up and show a little bit, but I’ve had another pre-season under my belt and I haven’t really missed too much.
“I’m feeling really strong and confident with how I’m progressing and hopefully I can show that throughout the year.”
The 22-year-old is now primed to enter his fifth season at the club under what is a new-look coaching line-up as senior coach John Worsfold prepares to hand over the baton to assistant Ben Rutten at the end of the 2020 season.
Parish shared their first season in the red and black with Worsfold in 2016 and he was full of praise for the experienced leader.
“He’s 110 per cent in with us now and he’s been working hard, he’s still bringing that positive mindset to training each week.
“He was a rock for us back where it all started, so it’s been great working under him.”
Other changes have seen former Essendon VFL head coach Dan Jordan step into senior coaching responsibilities as forward coach, while 2000 premiership hero Blake Caracella has returned to the club to lead the midfield and team attack fresh off an extremely successful stint at Richmond.
Parish said it has been beneficial to have a variety of new voices contributing throughout the pre-season.
“We’ve got a new coaching group with Dan Jordan and Blake Caracella, so it’s good to hear some different minds speaking across the group.
“They’ve all had some great input already early in the pre-season and they’ll continue that throughout the year for sure.
“‘Cara’ has been super for us younger mids’ development – like myself, Pigeon (Andrew McGrath), Kyle Langford as well.
“He is a new voice around the group, he’s brought in a few little things across from Richmond, so he’s been terrific with us. He’s really just fitted in well and the relationships have built up strongly already.”
The season is quickly approaching, with the Bombers taking to the field for their first Marsh Community Series hitout against West Coast on February 27 before their round one clash with Fremantle on March 21.
