Western Bulldogs young gun Sam Darcy has capped off a night that could result in a ban with a remarkable fourth quarter in a stunning come-from-behind win over Collingwood.
The Bulldogs trailed for much of Friday night’s clash but kicked five goals and held the reigning premiers to just one point in the last term to seal a 15.10 (100) to 12.10 (82) victory.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Luke Darcy frozen as ‘freakish’ son Sam seals win.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
Darcy was in the thick of the action from the opening minutes, putting himself at risk of a suspension when he bumped Brayden Maynard from behind, but more than made up for his ill discipline.
He kicked two goals in the second term to keep the Dogs close yet his best moments came much later.
Darcy, in just his 18th AFL game, smothered Pies skipper Darcy Moore then finished off the same play with a wonderful snap under pressure to seal the win.
His club great father Luke, watching it unfold from a radio box, was spotted maintaining his composure with ice-cold professionalism.
But the 2002 club champion was all smiles in the rooms afterwards, describing his son’s performance as “exciting”.
Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli filled the gaps as he heaped praise on his 20-year-old teammate.
“(Darcy’s) a really strong, competitive young kid. That (hit on Maynard) was a bit of an old-school type, really make him earn it, but I think he stood up really well considering,” Bontempelli told Channel 7.
“You’ve got the whole team coming after you, there was a bit of fight in that, but I thought he was just outstanding.
“Kept standing under balls, obviously freakishly talented kid but he’s a really tough match-up. He was really good tonight, especially late with that sealer at the end.”
The 209cm Darcy had seven marks — five of them contested — and is already looking close to unstoppable in one-on-one situations.
“He’s going to be so hard to beat,” Matthew Richardson said on Channel 7’s post-game coverage.
Darcy said it was “the best win” he had enjoyed in his short career so far.
Beyond the Maynard concern, he also gave away two 50m penalties and was soon hauled to the bench for a discussion with coach Luke Beveridge.
“Gave me a good little bake, said ‘pull your head in and move on’,” Darcy told Channel 7’s Brian Taylor after the game.
“It’s all part of it. I just had to get out of my own head, keep competing.”
Darcy said he did move on from the bump incident but acknowledged he might be at risk of a ban.