Darcy Tucker will never get a better opportunity to audition his midfield credentials than in Monday’s JLT Community Series clash with Collingwood at Arena Joondalup.

The departure of Lachie Neale to Brisbane and a long-term injury to Connor Blakely has created openings and Tucker is ready to fill the void against the talent-laden Pies.

Tucker has played the majority of his 48 games off half-back or on a wing but has spent greater time in the middle in the Dockers’ intraclub games and match simulation over the summer and expects more of the same tomorrow.

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“I am keeping my options open. All pre-season I’ve been training a bit off half-back, wing and midfield, so it’s about getting variety in those roles,” he said.

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“Wherever they do want to play me I’d like to think I am capable of playing those roles.

“There is definitely an (midfield) opening but we have got lots of players who hopefully will get a bit of time in there, other young players who are capable of filling that void in (Andrew) Brayshaw, (Adam) Cerra, (Bailey) Banfield.”

Tucker, 22, is entering his fourth season and hopes he can track teammate Ed Langdon who had a breakout 2018 at the same stage of his career.

“It’s always an aim to take my game to another level,” Tucker said. “I am focusing on improving and areas I need to improve on. Ed showed that last year and I’d love to do the same.”

Tucker’s 17 games and eight goals last season were the foundation and now he’s ready to start construction.

“I feel I am capable of playing good games, it is about doing it week in, week out at the elite level,” he said.

“I want to get myself in there early and play good, consistent footy. In pre-season I have just been focusing on training well. When it comes to games, I will hopefully put it all together.”

The Dockers have gone to school over the summer learning the AFL’s new rules and have trialled them in match simulation, but there is nothing like good, old-fashioned footy against real opponents.

“We have had good education on it, so we are all over it,” he said.

“It doesn’t seem to change it too much, but it has definitely opened the game up, especially with the kick-in rule and the 6-6-6 with the zones at centre square bounces.

“But apart from that, it doesn’t look to have changed the game too much.”