Rock's Premier League Debut
Josh Rock, 24, from Northern Ireland, is making his Premier League debut this year. Ahead of his first night playing in Belfast on Thursday, Rock expressed surprise at how quickly he has reached this stage.
He will compete in the fourth round of the Premier League at the SSE Arena and is still seeking his first win in the tournament. The 24-year-old is set to face Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals. Van Veen recently lost the Poland Darts Open final to Luke Littler despite achieving a nine-dart finish.
"Being in the Premier League is a dream come true from when I was a kid," Rock told NI.
"I did say I would stand up on this stage when I won the Best Youth Player of the Year and Best Newcomer, but I didn't expect it to be as soon as it is. I can't wait to get up there.
"It has been fantastic and one of the best feelings I have ever had being in that back room knowing what I am here for."
Rock has lost all his Premier League quarter-final matches so far, each by a 6-2 scoreline. He was defeated by Jonny Clayton in Newcastle, Michael van Gerwen in Antwerp, and Luke Humphries in Glasgow.
Currently, Rock is at the bottom of the Premier League table with zero points, tied with Stephen Bunting. However, this position does not worry him.
"I am playing OK, I haven't started off the Premier League as I wanted to, but I have to build the bridge and go over it," he said.
"I think I have coped with it well, but obviously everyone I am playing has been playing better than me, so I just need to up the gear.
"The best eight players in the world are there for a reason and it is going to be tough to beat them so hopefully that Northern Irish crowd is going to get on my side and I can beat Van Veen."
Van Veen and Crowd Expectations
Rock's opponent on Thursday night, Gian van Veen, 23, is also a Premier League newcomer. Van Veen has had a breakthrough year, reaching the World Championship final in January after winning the European Championship in 2025. He is also a back-to-back World Youth Champion.
Rock stated he has no sympathy for Van Veen if he faces a hostile crowd in Belfast.
"It happened to me when we played in Holland last year," Rock said.
"I would be surprised if he didn't get booed, but I think he will get booed the whole game. Van Veen has coped with the crowds and I think he will be OK.
"It will be very, very loud. We haven't had a Northern Irish player since 2019 [Daryl Gurney] so hopefully it'll all come good."
Premier League Season Overview
The Premier League has seen an exciting start with three different winners so far. Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, and Jonny Clayton have each won one of the opening nights of the 16-week league phase. The play-offs are scheduled for 28 May at the O2 Arena.
"It is good to see different winners, but the Premier League is a lot different to majors," Rock commented.
"The first major of the year Luke Littler won it, shock. Who was in the final? Luke Humphries.
"When it comes to the ranking majors, it is hard to look past the two Lukes then everyone else when in the Premier League."
Fans can follow live text commentary from night four of the Premier League on Thursday via the website and app.
- Littler headlines Premier League line-up
- Clayton wins Premier League night three in Glasgow
- Rock blames bathroom soap for poor Antwerp display
