"If you're not top four, you leave yourself open": Mark Webster and Richard Ashdown discuss omissions from Premier League Darts line-up
PDC
Having been a part of the reveal and also the Premier League Darts before, Mark Webster alongside spotter and a familiar face as former Lakeside MC Richard Ashdown ran the rule over those who just missed out on the line-up from the spots around those who were picked.
Damon Heta and Dave Chisnall were seen as two players perhaps that should've been in contention. The Aussie in particular said he was never even in the discussion supposedly but asked about 'Chizzy' who at one point would've got in by right as a top four player had it not been for a poor World Championship, Webster said the big stage let him down.
"Not done enough on the big stage. That's a shame for Dave (Chisnall) as I really like Dave. He's ranked number six without a major run on TV really so that goes to show how consistent he is on the bread and butter events. The Euro Tours, the ProTours. It's a shame he couldn't piece it together. He had an issue I think with his shoulder at the Grand Slam and at a business time of the year. He can feel a little bit aggrieved. If you're not top four, you leave yourself open. It happened to Luke Humphries a couple of years ago, he was fifth and didn't get in so you know what you need to do to get in," said Webster to Love The Darts.
While Ashdown said it's when not if Damon Heta will be involved in the elite eight. "There are more than eight players obviously. We can make a case for so many. Heta the way his stage persona is in recent years seems an ideal Premier League fit and he's another one who people say when is he going to be in it. He will be at some point," said Ashdown.
Albeit he asked Webster about the Luke Woodhouse game where he hit a nine-dart finish but threw it away as such and how that could've dented his chance.
"It's not ideal, he dropped nine legs. I personally think Damon (Heta) would cope with the Premier League. It's just getting him in there. He just needs to get himself in there. I think he'd be made for it."
"He's got to get a little bit stronger on the big stage. But he can feel a bit aggrieved as obviously so much dedication to what he's doing. Relocating from Australia and he's so committed. Never misses an event so strong 12 months and we could be speaking about him being in it next year."
"Not done enough on the big stage" ❌
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 6, 2025
Mark Webster and Richard Ashdown take a look at some of the players to miss out on a 2025 Premier League Darts place 🎯 pic.twitter.com/2wxZvXqOOY
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- One mistake is often followed by another, and the PDC have compounded their unimaginative PL picks with a doppelganger cast for the World Series. What an opportunity missed. It hurts the overburdened eight, it hurts the overlooked, it hurts the fans. Who gains? No one I can think of, not even the PDC shareholders.
UndartedWaters08-01-2025 - No, I wasn't expecting Heta to be in it either having won nothing of any significance. Although he is charismatic and has personality unlike the boring and dull as dishwater Dobey. It is quite pathetic and desperate the way Bunting and Arsepinall pander to the crowd to dance to their walk on music, that has worked though. I would like to see more players involved on a weekly basis similar to the Modus Super Series. A knockout tournament with 16 winners from each week. The Premier league is too boring with the same players. Plus it would eliminate all the whining and booing from unselected players.richieburnettrocks07-01-2025
- Why is World Champion Richie Burnett not highlighted in bold font nor 2 time World Champion Scotty 2 Hotty. COME ON RICHIE BURNETT AND SCOTTY 2 HOTTY Although where the hell has 2 HOTTY been the past year!richieburnettrocks07-01-2025
- It's not tennis, snooker or golf, nobody mentioned Fallon,great as she is. Beau beats her week in,week out. But she isn't interested. If you want to include crowd pleasers,get Les Wallace back!!! He was a world champion,and wore a kilt!!!rick6707-01-2025
- I'm glad wright and van Ben bergh were overlooked. Too much dancing,not enough darting. Bunting is always quality,as for price,he's a crowd pleaser(!!?) too. Aspinall has had his problems,but it's nice to see him back,he's a decent chap. Dobey is a top player,big hitter,so I won't complain. Cross will finish bottom,much as I like him,he seems to be off lately. I'm glad they didn't pick a Belgian just for the audience. But I don't agree with the tournament or format,so I guess it's immaterial to me. They might as well turn up at a random pub and play for the beers!!!rick6707-01-2025
- I think the PDC's choice is too conservative. EIther or both of Damon Heta and Mike de Dekker should have been in, at the expense of Aspinall and possibly Price. I guess the PDC's reasoning is that they do not want too much turnover from year to year, and so having already rejected Smith and Wright, they have kept Price and Aspinall, but I guess those two are "on probation".UndartedWaters06-01-2025
- Two from the three of Price, Aspinall and Dobey should have been excluded, De Decker and Edhouse should have been in. I would have offered a place to Beau Greaves though i doubt she would have accepted it and probably not really ready for it confidence wise.Mysstree06-01-2025
- Tennis has a protected ranking system for injuries and Golf has a system that as a Major winner you get invited back of a number of years regardless of your ranking. Barry Hearn gave Stephen Hendry a wildcard for some tournaments though he still had to enter at the qualification stage. Doubt the PDC would give Burnett an exemption as he has never won a PDC Major, same would apply to Steve Beaton. It’s a slippery slope to abandoning a meritocratic system, if the PDC did do so they could then (for example) award a place to Fallon Sherrock even though she has yet to qualify at any level for a tour card.Mysstree06-01-2025
- I'd have said the same about Ady Lewis,but the PDC is indeed a law unto itself,so sorry bud,get your leg kicking and do it for the good lads!!rick6705-01-2025
- COME ON RICHIE BURNETT Surely a World Champion and player with the calibra of Richie should be exempt from ever losing a tour card and having to qualify.richieburnettrocks04-01-2025