‘It should be about darts, not your walk on’ – Dave Chisnall wades into Nathan Aspinall row after Premier League bow
DAVE CHISNALL says players shouldn’t get into the Premier League for a “song and a dance”.
The World No.6 was omitted from the 17-week tournament with Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price and Chris Dobey getting in ahead of him, despite being further down the world rankings.
Grand Prix champ Mike De Decker slammed the PDC earlier this week for choosing Aspinall just for his walk-on entertainment.
Chizzy, 44, has now waded in on the row and said: “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 No.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 No.24 in the world counted against him.
“Nathan and Gerwyn 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 competitions.
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“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.
“Damo [Heta] 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.”
Chisnall was also surprised at pal Stephen Bunting fist-bumping Luke Littler in his World Championship semi-final defeat.
He added: “The one big disappointment of the semi-finals was my pal Stephen.
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“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 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 Champions in their 30s.”