Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy made his return to AFL football in style in Saturday’s 21-point win against Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium.

Three days after his 21st birthday, Darcy faced a daunting test against one of the game's most formidable ruck duos in Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett.

While some commentators feared that the younger Darcy would fade late in his first appearance since round two, he instead lifted to help Fremantle dominate the clearances 15-3 in the final term.

Darcy said that Freo’s win came down to a focus on out-working their opponent.

“(The pre-game message) was just all about effort, we’re equal talent, equal in about everything else, so if we just put more effort in for the four quarters, we would get on top,” Darcy said.

“(Ryder and Lycett) are both quality, they’re really good ruckmen. Ryder was jumping all over me and Lycett was wresting me as well. I was focused on just competing and trying as hard as I could.

“I had about two or three minutes rest a quarter. I was pretty cooked (at the end of the game) but we got the four points and that’s the main thing.”

Darcy had 30 hitouts for the day, bringing his career total to 599 from his 18 AFL games to date.

It’s a total that eclipses any AFL/VFL player from the same point in their career, with Darcy racking up 177 more hitouts than any other ruckman after 18 career games.

Most hit outs after 18 career V/@AFL games

599 - SEAN DARCY

422 - Sam Naismith

415 - Billy Longer

408 - Justin Madden

407 - Andrew Purser

@freodockers #AFLFreoPower — Swamp (@sirswampthing) June 15, 2019

But Darcy isn’t getting carried away with his progress and is instead focusing on his next big test in Max Gawn - who awaits when Fremantle take on Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

Darcy’s 24 hitouts against Melbourne in round 16 in 2018 was the lowest of his career as the Demons won the count 49-32.

“I felt he touched me up this time last year, so I’m looking forward to it,” Darcy said.

“Max is quality and probably one of the best in the competition right now, so I just need to recover, make sure I’m 100 per cent next week and go again.”