Western Bulldogs AFL star Sam Darcy, son of club great Luke, is sidelined by rare lung condition

Western Bulldogs rising star Sam Darcy is set to be sidelined indefinitely with a rare lung condition.

The 19-year-old son of Bulldogs great Luke Darcy suffered from shortness of breath over the past week and subsequent scans revealed the utility has a small hole in one of his lungs.

‘Sam reported the insidious onset of some shortness of breath,’ Bulldogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell told 7 News.

‘Scans confirmed that he is suffering from a small hole in the lung that has leaked some air into the space between the lung and the chest wall. 

Western Bulldogs rising star Sam Darcy is set to be sidelined indefinitely with a rare lung condition (pictured, playing in the VFL)

Sam Darcy was drafted in 2021 and has gone onto make six senior appearances for the Bulldogs (pictured, with his father and club great Luke Darcy)

‘This has happened spontaneously and is non-traumatic, which is uncommon.’

Bell confirmed the AFL club have since consulted a number of specialists, and expect Darcy’s lung to ‘heal and improve with conservative management and time’.

The young gun featured in the first two AFL matches of the season, but was then sent back to the VFL to work on his game.

Amid much hype ahead of the teenager’s senior debut last year, his father said a measured approach was the key to getting the best out of his son.

‘It’s great to see him fit and healthy, out there doing what he loves,’ he said.

‘When you’re playing week in, week out, you start to build some confidence. 

‘He plays in a great environment, and seems to be loving every moment. It’s a privilege to play sport for a living, and he loves it.’

The Bulldogs sit in seventh spot on the AFL ladder after eight rounds and take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium this Saturday.