How Jack Darling’s move to North Melbourne came about

Jack Darling has outlined how his trade to North Melbourne came about.

The veteran forward has made the move from West Coast to the Kangaroos after a deal was agreed upon on Monday, with Pick 67 heading the other way.

Darling was contracted with the Eagles for 2025 but opted to make the move east to continue his career at Arden Street.

The 32-year-old says his relationship with former West Coast assistant coach and list manager Brady Rawlings played a major part in helping facilitate the trade.

“I get along with Brady Rawlings and he’s obviously there now,” Darling said of North's head of football on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“He saw the way I went about it week to week, the professionalism, the way I train, the way I prepare and just who I am as a person to fit in for culture (purposes).

“So he was a big link, and Adam Simpson is obviously a pretty close mate. He gave the intel that there's nothing wrong with my hunger and body.

“With the way I present myself during the week, I don't really miss a beat. I don't get monitored during the week or anything like that, I'm fronting up for every session. I’m 32 but the body doesn't feel 32.

“That's sort of how the link got to North Melbourne. I then had a chat with Alastair Clarkson, and they’ve got a role for me to play. I’m super excited for it.”

After kicking 532 goals from 298 games across 14 seasons with the Eagles, Darling felt the time had come to try something new.

He suggests that a crowded forward line at the Eagles has contributed to his shift which will deny him the 300 milestone at West Coast.

“I’d probably done my role at West Coast,” he added.

“Just when you get to a stage, 14 years, it's a long time.

“I could have played my 300th game this year as well, but it wasn't meant to be.

“I just feel like with all the young talls there, they're a lot younger than me. They’ve got blokes like Archer Reid, I think is going to be a great player, Jack Williams, Bailey Williams, and Oscar (Allen) and Jake (Waterman).

“It was just getting a bit crowded down there. I just feel like this is the best option for me and my family, and I'm super excited to bring my skill set to North Melbourne.”

Darling says he did not hold talks with new Eagles coach Andrew McQualter after his appointment as he now puts in place plans to pack up and leave Perth.

“The powers at be (at West Coast) already had it on their mind that I wasn’t required,” he said further.

“I’m grateful to North for believing in me and the person I am to give me a contract for a couple of years.

“I’m ready to commit, ready to move the family over and try something different after only moving 10 kilometres (to the Eagles) from where I grew up (in Perth).”

Darling departs West Coast as a 2018 premiership player, a four-time leading goal kicker, an All-Australian, the second highest goal kicker (behind Josh Kennedy) and with the second most games (behind Shannon Hurn).