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WHEN Darcy Tucker burst onto the scene last year to win All Australian selection as a 17-year-old after a standout under-18 championships for Vic Country, it set up his draft hopes for 2015.
It also created a new level of expectation for what he would achieve this year, which made the season a little more challenging for Tucker.
Tucker, who hails from Horsham in country Victoria but moved to Ballarat where he captained the North Ballarat Rebels, had a solid season in 2015.
But when judging it, it is worth remembering he missed the second half of last year with a serious ankle and leg injury that required surgery and nearly six months of recovery time.
He returned to enjoy some excellent games across the season – including a huge 43-disposal effort against the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup – and played a valuable role in Vic Country's carnival win.
With his zip and drive from half-back, Tucker can set up play up the ground for his team. He's comfortable with the ball and backs himself with his left foot, and enjoys taking the game on, having a bounce and finding a teammate.
This year he averaged nearly 23 disposals in the TAC Cup, which included five rebound 50s a game. He also picked up nearly nine handball receives an outing, highlighting his ability to attract the ball and provide some run. He likes to baulk opponents, create some room and then take off.
Tucker has the frame and body maturity to step right into an AFL system. He played one game of VFL this year for the Roosters and fitted in seamlessly, gathering 19 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency.
Athletically he is also impressive, having recorded a level 15.3 beep test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, which was the third best of any player to compete. His best agility score is elite (a leftover trait from his days as a star junior basketballer) and he can leap and take an overhead grab.
Tucker didn't manage to piece together a really consistent season, which has been a frustration for him. At the championships he had a couple of good games mixed in with some average ones, and he didn't finish the year the way he would have liked with a quiet TAC Cup final.
So far Tucker has shown his best form across half-back, even though he had designs on playing as a midfielder for most of this year. He had some good games in that midfield role, but knows there are a few things to work on before that becomes a more permanent position for him.
Tucker might start out his career as a Shaun Atley type of half-back flanker who breaks the lines with his run and carry and zigzagging dash. Like the North Melbourne defender, Tucker will eventually progress further up the ground as his career unfolds.
Likely to fit into the first-round somewhere, but if not taken there, Tucker won't last long in the second round. His range is probably from 12-25 on draft night.
Tucker has wanted an AFL career for as long as he can remember and won't waste his chance. He looks well suited to the way AFL football is played and is a prospect who loves to put the ball under his arm and go for a run. In space there are few better. 
