COLAC Tiger Darcy Lang didn’t expect to make a smooth transition into TAC Cup football.

Before the season began, the 17-year-old utility expected to play only “a couple of games” in his first year with the Geelong Falcons.

But fast forward nine rounds and the Tigers’ under-16 premiership player has become a key player in the Falcons’ team which sits eighth with a 3-6 record.

Lang, son of Colac’s Phil and Vicki Lang, has averaged 13.8 kicks and 6.6 handballs a game at 66.2-per-cent efficiency, which earned him a place in the best players in five of his first six games.

“I suppose it’s been a pretty good transition, the coaching staff help you out a lot understanding the structures and finding the footy and things like that,” Lang said.

“During pre-season I didn’t know if I’d get a go but I was picked for round one and have stayed in since then, apart from a game off with a calf injury,” he said.

“I’m just playing my role and doing what I can for the team. I’m really enjoying it.”

Lang has impressed coach Andrew Allthorpe and midfield coach Matt Verfurth with his versatility.

He started up forward but coaches threw him into defence when a teammate went down, and he showed his ability providing run out of the backline.

“Darcy’s been fantastic, he’s showed he’s got a lot of talent,” Allthorpe said.

“He’s very clever and finds a lot of the footy, as well as learning a number of different roles in the side which he’s handled well,” he said.

Lang said he hoped to continue his consistent performances this season and help the Falcons play finals footy.

Verfurth hopes Lang will join Colac’s Brody Mahoney in the Falcons’ midfield brigade, and help prepare Lang for his top-age campaign in 2013.

“Matty V is trying to introduce me to the midfield a bit, working on positioning and winning contested footy,” Lang said.

“But at the moment finals are definitely the big plan, I want to keep playing as many games and cement my spot in the team,” he said.