Darcy Tucker has committed his future to Fremantle after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal that will expire at the cessation of the 2023 season.
The Dockers announced this latest list update on Friday via an official statement ahead of their pre-season training period.
While hamstring concerns saw Tucker take the field on just eight occasions last season, the Victorian proved across the course of his stellar 2019 campaign that he possesses the ability to compete at AFL level.
Though 2021 saw Tucker spend time on several lines across his 16 outings in purple and white, the former pick 27 claimed that he was dissatisfied with a season that saw him find the football at a rate of 17 times per week.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
“Personally, I wasn’t too happy with the year I had. I have high standards for myself and it felt like I was playing a bit of catch-up from my injury,” he revealed.
Despite his harsh marking, the Horsham-raised product suggested that a 20 touch, three-tackle performance against the Dockers' arch-rivals in Round 7 would be his benchmark going forward.
“[The West Coast game] is the standard I believe I can play at and that’s why I’m really excited to have a full preseason and really set myself up to have a good season like that," Tucker continued.
“It all starts with getting fitter and stronger, improving as much as I can over the pre-season, and going from there."
The motivated mid also divulged that he was keen to lock down a spot on one of Optus Stadiums' two wings in 2022.
“I do love the wing, I love being around the midfield and I feel that’s where I can play my best footy," Tucker said ambitiously.
Irrespective of the fact that Fremantle's finals drought extended into a sixth season after finishing their latest schedule in 11th place, Tucker remained upbeat about what the horizon held for the rising side.
“To be honest, there’s a lot that excites me. I feel like we’re definitely going in the right direction. Our time is now, we want to play finals footy and we’re not just saying that lightly,” he openly stated.
“We believe we’ve got the group to do it and make sure these next two, three, four - however many years - are really successful for the footy club."
“It’s a young group and it’s not just the youth, but how driven everyone is and how everyone wants to get better and improve.
“We all hold very high standards and that’s what excites me. I can’t wait to get into it and have some successful years to come.”
With Tucker already tearing into training prior to the Christmas break, Fremantle's Head of Player Personnel, David Walls suggested that plenty of the club's ability to improve would come down to what the country kid could produce within the boundary line.
“We’re pleased to have Darcy around for at least another two seasons. He’s been really professional, especially when he had that really big hamstring injury and worked his way back,” Walls said.
“He worked hard and has been moved around a little bit, but we really see him settling in on the wing and nailing down that spot with his run and carry, he’s got a beautiful step and a long left-foot kick. We see him using that run to get up and down and break the game.
“We see him as a big part of our future and our list management plan.”
Tucker has played 94 games since debuting for the Dockers in Round 5, 2016.
