Attending boarding school has helped Darcy Tucker adapt to life in a new state, with the 20-year-old back in WA and ready for a third pre-season.

After the ‘go home factor’ played a significant role in the 2017 trade period, Tucker was asked by media on Monday regarding his own feelings about living away from home. 

Growing up in Horsham, almost equidistant between Melbourne and Adelaide in country Victoria, Tucker said he accepted very early on that he needed to leave home to chase his AFL dream.

“I grew up three and a half hours from Melbourne, so I knew growing up, that if I wanted to play AFL I’d have to move regardless,” Tucker said. 

“I think that helped, I went to boarding school for a couple years as well, so I’ve been away from home for four or five years now. 

“I think that definitely helped. Boarding school got me out of my comfort zone and made me more independent, so I think that’s helped with the shift over in Perth.”


Darcy Tucker in action at training on Monday

Tucker said that being a key part of Fremantle’s rebuild made it easy to agree to a two-year contract extension in August.

“I think for young players, it’s probably natural to get a bit homesick a bit now and then, especially moving across to the other side of the country,” Tucker said.

“It’s what football is, if you want to do what you love, you’ve got to move to other places.

“I’ve found it really good and the club has been really welcoming over my first couple of years, which is why I signed for an extra two years.

“I really enjoy it here. It’s a good time to be at the club and I feel I’ve got a future with all of the young players playing at the moment.” 

Tucker added that he was getting the most out of his development thanks to Freo’s new training facility in Cockburn Central. 

“I think we’ve got world-class facilities here at the club and it definitely helps with player retention,” Tucker said.

“It just makes it an enjoyable place to be at. We’ve got elite facilities to help you be the best player that you can be.”