The Dart Side of Life - The Adrian Geiler Column #2

The decisive phase of the darts season has begun with Players Championship events 24 & 25 and the Flanders Darts Trophy, as the twelve BULL'S Tour Card holders now face major tournaments, big prize money, and a review of their performances so far.

Hello dear darts friends,

the decisive phase of the darts year has begun. The Players Championship tournaments 24 & 25 and the Flanders Darts Trophy were the kickoff for the hot autumn with the big tournaments and the big prize money.

It’s also getting serious for the 12 Tour Card holders from BULL'S. In this column, we’ll take a look at the BULL'S dozen’s season so far. Who achieved what? Who’s playing well? And what do the players themselves say?

MARTIN SCHINDLER | World Ranking: #17

Average 2025: 94.75 (Rank 21) | Checkout % 2025: 39.35% (Rank 55) Best Result: 2 Titles (PC8, Austrian Darts Open 2025)

Adrian’s season assessment: Anyone who thought 2024 was an outlier was wrong. Martin keeps progressing and reaches milestones no German before him has achieved. “The Wall” has laid the foundation to become the first German Top 16 player – and even the Top 10 are within reach. His level is brutally consistent, and the respect from opponents keeps growing. Only his major record could use a little polish.

JERMAINE WATTIMENA | World Ranking: #26

Average 2025: 95.37 (17) | Checkout % 2025: 40.38% (34) Best Result: 1 Title (PC23)

What the player says: “My season is going really well – a final at the Players Championship tournaments and a title. Plus, I’m qualifying for most TV tournaments, which I’m really looking forward to. The World Championship will be huge this year for everyone because of the record prize fund. With my level, I can compete and make life difficult for the top players. I can beat anyone with my A-game.”

Adrian’s season assessment: Jermaine is back! Since 2024, “The Machine Gun” has been playing at the level of a Top 16 player and finally captured his long-overdue first pro title. The emotions after the winning dart in Hildesheim were heartwarming. He seems more mature now and appears ready to fully unlock his tremendous potential.

KRZYSZTOF RATAJSKI | World Ranking: #33

Average 2025: 95.26 (18) | Checkout % 2025: 40.90% (28) Best Result: 1 Title (PC23)

Adrian’s season assessment: The “Polish Eagle” is flying again. After health problems in 2024, Krzysztof is back in form in 2025. In May, he captured PDC title number 11 – that’s four more than all German players combined. A return to the World Grand Prix is looming. With his consistency (few players hit more visits with at least one treble) and a surprisingly strong finishing rate, the Pole is a dark horse for the rest of the season.

NIKO SPRINGER | World Ranking: #73

Average 2025: 94.08 (26) | Checkout % 2025: 39.68% (44) Best Result: 1 Final (Dutch Darts Championship)
What the player says: “I’m very happy with the first half of the year and already secured my big goal of World Championship qualification.”

Adrian’s season assessment: When was the last time a German player made such an impact in his first Tour Card year like Niko? The “Meenzer Bub” has met (almost) every expectation and (which we sometimes forget) wasn’t far from a European Tour title! Qualification for the European Championship in Dortmund is well-deserved, since he has to go through the bottleneck of the Tour Card holder qualifier. The competition knows: a top player is emerging here. That includes some avoidable defeats, especially on the floor, but that’s part of the process.

STEVE LENNON | World Ranking: #76

Average 2025: 91.41 (62) | Checkout % 2025: 36.43% (158) Best Result: Last 16 (PC24)

Adrian’s season assessment: “Scuba Steve” is quietly having a good season. On the floor, the Irishman regularly wins matches and is on course for the Players Championship Finals (ranking even above Niko Springer) and the World Championship. But the WC is not safe yet since he only qualified for one European Tour event. One thing is certain: without the WC, Steve will lose his Tour Card – for the second time in three years.

PATRICK GEERAETS | World Ranking: #83

Average 2025: 89.65 (98) | Checkout % 2025: 37.52% (107) Best Result: Semi-Final (PC8)
What the player says: “2025 started well. My level improved and I became more consistent – until I got sick. But now things are slowly getting better again. The focus is on qualifying for the World Championship.”

Adrian’s season assessment: Early in the year, I was very impressed with Patrick. The passionate darts collector (reportedly over 3000 sets!) had multiple match darts against Martin Schindler in mid-March to reach a floor final. On the European Tour in Graz, he also had plenty of chances to win but missed them. Since then, only two prize money runs. Those (frustrating) defeats could cost him WC qualification – and his Tour Card. If he can rediscover his spring form, both are possible.

MARTIJN DRAGT | World Ranking: #90

Average 2025: 89.09 (108) | Checkout % 2025: 35.65% (206) Best Result: Last 16 (PC7)

What the player says: “Last year at the start of my Tour Card time was tough. I played well but couldn’t beat the Top 16. I took the first year as a learning experience. 2025 started better. The World Championship is still in reach, so I’ll give everything. Ally Pally is every player’s dream. The release of my own darts with BULL'S will give me another boost.”

Adrian’s season assessment: The Dutchman started decently and can still dream of the WC. After eight PCs, he had already earned £7,000 – as much as in the following 17. For Martijn too: no WC, no Tour Card. His new darts are eye-catching, with carnival colors beautifully integrated.

LEON WEBER | World Ranking: #107

Average 2025: 87.66 (146) | Checkout % 2025: 37.19% (120) Best Result: Last 16 (Flanders Darts Trophy, PC13)

What the player says: “I’d call my year on tour so far a bit of an ‘up and down’. Many good and positive moments, especially 3 ET qualifications so far, a 9-darter, wins against big names etc. But I’m not fully satisfied since the results at the Players Championships often didn’t come. Still, it could be much worse for a first year I guess. Plus, I’m having a cool time with Gurke and Niko.”

Adrian’s season assessment: Germany’s darts revelation of 2024 remains one to watch in 2025. Out of nowhere, the man from Dörsdorf earned a Tour Card – and is immediately competitive. Yes, there have been too many dips and losses. But: with the eye-catching last 16 on the European Tour, WC qualification is within reach. That would be an incredible achievement for someone hardly anyone knew two years ago. I’m convinced: Leon’s ceiling is still far away. His future is bright.

MAX CZERWINSKI | World Ranking: #122

Average 2025: 84.97 (266) | Checkout % 2025: 34.92% (250) Best Result: 2 Board Finals (PC3, PC22), Winner MyDartcoach Championship

What the player says: “I’m about 70% satisfied with the year. Sometimes a lot more was possible on certain tournament days. But overall it’s going better than I thought at the start of the year.”

Adrian’s season assessment: Hardly any Tour Card rookie has already won as many hearts as “Gurke.” Especially for his friends Niko Springer and Leon Weber, he’s an important companion. But we shouldn’t reduce Max to his social qualities. On the sporting side, there’s also clear progress. Now Gurke is even switching to part-time work. The WC via the Pro Tour probably won’t happen, but as he showed at Q-School: on any given day, Max can beat anyone.

COR DEKKER | World Ranking: #131

Average 2025: 87.55 (149) | Checkout % 2025: 37.48% (109) Best Result: Last 16 (PC25)

What the player says: “As a new Tour Card holder, the start is never easy. Luckily, I knew a few people, which helped. I played quite well early on, but then it suddenly didn’t work anymore. Now I’ve got my new dart prototypes with the grip I was looking for, and that feels good. Since last week, I also have my new shirt, which gives me confidence too. That means results will come.”

Adrian’s season assessment: Had I written this column a month ago, my conclusion would have been more negative. But the towering “Sheriff” seems to have arrived. The last 16 at PC25 plus World Series qualification are strong statements. The new darts given to BULL'S newest member (since late April) seem to be a gamechanger. In early October at the PDC Nordic & Baltic Championship, a title could secure him a WC spot – making Cor the first Norwegian at Ally Pally.

RUSTY-JAKE RODRIGUEZ | World Ranking: #135

Average 2025: 86.71 (191) | Checkout % 2025: 34.05% (304) Best Result: Board Final (PC2)

What the player says: “I imagined my first year differently, but it’s still no reason to give up.”

Adrian’s season assessment: “RJR3” undoubtedly has exceptional ability. But on tour, potential doesn’t matter – results do. And lately, Rusty hasn’t had enough of them. The Austrian already showed in 2024 that he can turn things around when he reorganized his life, which got him back on tour. If Rusty makes the next development step again, he can achieve a lot.

TYTUS KANIK | World Ranking: #136

Average 2025: – | Checkout % 2025: 36.41% (159) Best Result: 2 Board Finals (PC3, PC16)

Adrian’s season assessment: The first Polish Tour Card holder (yes, before Krzysztof) returned to the tour this year. So far, it hasn’t been a particularly friendly reunion. At one point, he had losing streaks of five, seven, and nine matches. Overall, 13 wins versus 42 defeats. The consistency from Q-School has somehow vanished. Still, the fact he beat players like Mensur Suljovic, Cam Crabtree, and Ricky Evans must give him confidence. I’m sure we’ll see more from the experienced Pole.

Game on!
Yours, Adrian