Star Leeton-Whitton recruit Sam Darley looks set to be restricted to just a handful of games for the Crows next season.
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Just hours after the Crows announced the prized signing of the former AFL footballer, North Hobart declared their intention to hold Darley to his contract in Tasmania.
Darley visited Leeton last weekend and signed with the Crows after recently relocating to Melbourne.
But a two-year contract with his home club North Hobart is likely to restrict Darley to just a handful of games early in the year when the Demons have the bye.
Darley told The Daily Advertiser that his number one priority will be North Hobart in 2020.
"I'm looking to play a few games (for Leeton-Whitton), hopefully my body allows it," Darley said.
"With the fixtures not released yet it's hard to know but hopefully I can get up there and play a couple of games when we have the bye.
"Having signed a two-year contract (at North Hobart) I've got to do the right thing there and they'll be my first preference as to where and when I play."
North Hobart coach Richard Robinson told Hobart's The Mercury that Darley was going nowhere.
"If Sam's body permits, he will play games for them when we have the bye," Robinson told The Mercury.
"He has some friends up there and wants to have a kick with them."
Darley made a big impact at North Hobart in the first year of the deal.
He averaged 33 disposals a game, won the club best and fairest by 79 votes and was named in Tasmanian State League's Team of the Year.
Leeton-Whitton did not expect Darley to play every game next season, due to travel, and will sit down with him once both club's fixtures are out to work out a plan.
Darley said is looking forward to donning Crows colours.
"I can't wait," he said.
"Me and my partner were up there on the weekend and are really looking forward to it. It should be good."
Darley confirmed that North Hobart will be the club he remains with after the June 30 clearance deadline. He has not ruled out linking with the Crows on a more permanent basis in 2021.
Darley will be a huge addition to the Crows even if it is for just a couple of games. The 26-year-old has played 20 AFL games with Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs, as well as captaining Richmond's VFL team in 2017.
He was also captain-coach of Geelong Football League club North Shore in 2018.
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