“I just came back from a stress fracture in my foot,” he told reporters. “The bone’s healed really well – it’s coming good now.
“I start full running in,I think,another three or four weeks,but it’s feeling really good.”
The key-position player is unanimously viewed as a top-five talent but will become a third-generation Bulldog at next week’s national draft,with the Dogs certain to match any rival bid for him.
His father,Luke,won a best and fairest and played 226 games at the club,while his grandfather,David,managed 133 games.
The 18-year-old Darcy put in a series of stunning performances as a key forward earlier in the year including six goals against Vic Country in June,but presents as a versatile option after growing to 205 centimetres since measurements were last taken in March.
“I’ve grown another couple of centimetres,” Darcy revealed. “I think wherever the team needs me,I’ll put my hand up to play. I think that’s a strength of being tall and being able to play ruck and forward.