Channel 7 commentator Luke Darcy to move to new role for Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs clash

Luke Darcy flies across the country every week calling football.

But Channel 7’s broadcast of Fremantle’s clash with the Western Bulldogs means a little bit extra for the one-time All-Australian ruckman.

It will be the first time he covers a game where his son Sam — the third generation of Darcy at the Bulldogs — is playing.

And the broadcaster gets so nervous watching his son play, he will move from a play-by-play role to the special comments chair for the Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

“I’m looking forward to sitting in the expert comments chair, I haven’t done that since I first left the game,” Darcy said.

“I always wanted to call the game ball-by-ball, it was something my Dad did when I was growing up as a kid, I sat in a commentary box and heard Dad call the game.

“But I have been wrestling with the idea of calling a game that my son plays in and I just haven’t been able to get my head around the idea.

“Conscious of him having to watch a replay of the game and have me potentially yelling out his name as well.”

Darcy said part of his nerves are around his son avoiding concussion and injuries playing the sport, with head knocks and the long-term effects in the spotlight.

“It’s nerve-wracking, more than I thought it would be. I now often sit there alongside my wife Bec and I think more than anything you just want them to be healthy and safe,” he said.

“There is obviously a lot of joy as well, because he is doing something that he loves. You see the game very differently, you feel nervous, and I find myself just watching him and not watching anything else.”

Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson will call the game alongside Jason Bennett, with Darcy and Shaun Burgoyne providing expert analysis. Perth sports presenter and The West Australian columnist Ryan Daniels will be on the boundary.