Eagles veteran Darling makes AFL trade request official

After 298 games for West Coast, Jack Darling is set to move to North Melbourne. (Gary Day/AAP PHOTOS)

West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling is set to end his AFL career at North Melbourne after formally requesting a trade.

The 32-year-old has one year left to run on his contract but is eager to sign a multi-year with the Kangaroos, having completed a medical at Arden Street this week.

The Eagles confirmed Darling's trade request in a brief statement on Wednesday.

"The club will now work with North Melbourne towards facilitating that request during next month's trade period," the West Coast statement said.

Darling struggled for form this year and was dropped when interim coach Jarrad Schofield took over from Adam Simpson.

He kicked 22 goals from 21 games in an Eagles team that finished third from bottom, above North Melbourne and last-placed Richmond.

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has targeted Darling to add experience to his young playing list, with the veteran set to support spearhead Nick Larkey in attack.

Darling, who made his AFL debut in 2011, ranks second in West Coast history for both games played (298) and goals kicked (333) for the club.

He will fall narrowly short of becoming just the second Eagles player behind 2018 premiership captain Shannon Hurn (333) to reach the 300-game milestone.

Darling
Jack Darling appears set to play in North Melbourne colours from next season.

Darling this week described himself as "durable" and declared his aim to extend his career for as long as possible.

"If that's another two or three years at North, I think that would suit me and my family well,” Darling told Channel 10.

It shapes as a busy off-season for West Coast, who are reportedly down to the final three candidates - Andrew McQualter, Hayden Skipworth and Steven King - in their search for a new coach.

The Eagles are eager to land Richmond free agent Jack Graham, with fellow Tigers and WA products Liam Baker and Shai Bolton also linked to moves to their home state.

Elsewhere, Sydney's Harry Cunningham has inked a new two-year contract extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2026.

The 30-year-old has played 206 games for the Swans over 13 seasons.

Gold Coast duo Nick Holman and Sean Lemmens have signed one-year contract extensions to remain with the club until the end of 2025.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store