AFL Academy member Darcy Szerszyn does not use injuries as an excuse - but it's fair to stay he's been robbed of rhythm for the two years of footy he had set himself for.
In between an Under-18s National Championships last year where he blended combativeness with athleticism and offensive dare with defensive discipline, he's either been absent, playing injured, underdone or playing catch-up.
"It's been mentally draining," Szerszyn told Zero Hanger.
"You're watching all these other boys doing well and playing games and you come halfway through the season trying to prove yourself again, it's hard doing that every week."
A collarbone injury in pre-season last year restricted him from playing his best footy in the early part of last season. That he was still selected in Vic Country's squad as a bottom-ager highlights the esteem he was viewed in and he repaid selectors' faith by playing a key role off half-back matching up on the likes of now AFL-listed pair Dyson Sharp and Cam Nairn.
Soon after the U18s National Championships, he suffered a shoulder injury in a tackling drill at training and played through the injury, featuring in the annual Under-17s Futures game last year.
Initially he believed it was ligament damage. In October, he dislocated it getting into a pool at a school swimming carnival which indicated it was more serious. He did not receive surgery until February, which ruled him out of the first half of 2026.
The Noble Park local had just one full week of contact training before playing his first game back for Dandenong Stingrays to get some miles in the legs before the National Championships.
Having played such minimal footy, he showed his best only spasmodically throughout the National Championships and admitted at no stage in 2026 did he find the footy he believed he was capable of producing.
"I'm well equipped for the ups and downs of footy. I've had a hard three years with injuries and underperforming so I'm used to the downs of football and being able to bounce back from it well has been important," Szerszyn said.
"I've got confidence in my body as well, it's not hamstrings or anything like that, it's injuries I've been able to fully heal from so I've got full confidence in my body now.
"I had a lot of good sessions with my wellbeing co-ordinator at the Stingrays and he's helped me throughout the year take my mind off footy as much as possible and he's been massive for me doing little things away from footy, journalling and other techniques which have helped me throughout the year.
"Getting my feelings on a piece of paper and reviewing it the next day has been really important because you notice little things that you might not have otherwise noticed."
As pointed out by one industry source, it's a testament to Szerszyn's character and upside he's remained on the draft radar amid such an interrupted period.
At his best, Szerszyn creates chaos off half-back. There are shades of Josh Weddle with his brazen ventures speeding out of defence which expose opposition on transition.
His 2.914-second 20-metre sprint, 8.103-second AFL Agility test and 78-centimetre standing vertical jump - all top-10 finishes - at the AFL Draft National Combine highlighted the athletic scope he has even if the lack of rhythm limited his confidence to show it consistently.
Buoyed by those results, Szerszyn is desperate to match it with endurance given the lack of week-to-week consistency had him running on fumes late in games in 2026.
"Getting that consistency in my game back is really important. Working on my aerobic base to run out games more and keep expanding on what I do well which is reading the play and the offence side of the game as well," Szerszyn said.
"Pre-season will be massive whether it's at an AFL or VFL club.
"Being able to do that and then work from there will be important. It's hindered me in the last couple of years. My ability to run out games and get the game fitness back will be really important."
As well as Weddle, Szerszyn also watches Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe closely, with the teenager's ability to intercept mark and compete aerially at 189cm a point-of-difference - though he does his best work on smalls, given his pace and ability to expose them the other way.
Injury ruled Szerszyn out of the two AFL Academy games against senior opposition, but a VFL game for North Melbourne and a week training at Melbourne, where he leant on fellow defenders Jake Lever and Dan Turner were both eye-opening experiences which have him ready for what awaits.
"(The injuries) were a challenging period of my life but I got through it pretty well. I learned how much I loved the game and watching all the boys run out there every week it was hard to watch so how much I want to do it was a big learning," Szerszyn said.
"Having experienced all of that, I'd be so grateful for an opportunity. I'd bring competitiveness and a desire to always get better."
