Dave Chisnall is back with kwiff, discussing the finale to last week’s PDC World Darts Championship, as well as a preview of the eight selected players for this year’s Premier League of Darts.
Dave Chisnall – Luke The Nuke
Luke Littler continues to take the darting world by storm, and hats off to the kid – it’s an incredible achievement to be World Champion whilst just a teenager. A lot of those who say he’s a prodigy and born talented etc won’t know just how much work has been put in during this 17 years on this planet – I’ve seen the videos of him chucking in his nappies as a toddler!
He knocked me out of The UK Open back in March, when I should have been home and hosed at the first break. I went in 3-2 up and he came back and rolled off 5 on the spin before eventually winning the game 10-5. You don’t need me to tell you how good he is, and he’s a phenomenal talent. I just hope the media don’t go overboard like they have been – he’s a 17 year old at the end of the day and he doesn’t need all the added stresses and pressure. Fingers crossed for him though, he is a special player!
The one big disappointment of the semi-finals was my pal Steven Bunting. He was phenomenal in the first set, but will have been gutted to lose it 3-2, despite the high averages. I’m not one for gamesmanship and you won’t hear me slagging folk off, but I did think the fist bumps after every set was a bit weird.
It was noticeable that Michael (Van Gerwen) was having none of it in the final! He looked to be getting back to his best during the Worlds, which will be a worry for most of us other lads on tour. He missed too many doubles in the final, but he’ll be back. There aren’t too many folk three-time World Champion in their 30s.
Dave Chisnall: Premier League of Darts
The Premier League line-up was hardly surprising this week, but you’d have to be gutted if you were someone like a Mike de Decker or Damon Heta. I never expected to get a phone call – despite being World Number 6 – because of how poor I’ve been on TV this year, but Mike can feel let down after his great run at The Grand Prix. Maybe being number 24 in the world counted against him, but these young lads are all chomping at the bit to be given a chance to shine.
Dave Chisnall: Lucky Boys
Damo is another who I think can feel unlucky, whilst it’s good to see Chris Dobey and Steven Bunting rewarded with a spot. It seems like something of a changing of the guard with no Michael Smith and no Peter Wright, whilst Nathan Aspinall and Gerwyn Price can both feel a bit lucky in my opinion to be involved this year.
Gezzy has had a lot going and struggled in 2024, whilst Nathan has done similarly. His run to the Quarter-Finals of the Worlds probably got him involved, that and everyone loving his Mr Brightside theme song. It’s a great entrance, but it should be about the darts, and not your walk-on that gets you involved in these big competition. Nothing against them personally, as both great lads and get on well with, but it should be about your actions on the dartboard, not on a song and a dance.
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