“He wanted to be right up there with Littler, he’s getting very close”: Josh Rock labelled a ‘joke’ by Matthew Edgar as impeccable form continues

Josh Rock, the 24-year-old Northern Irish darts prodigy, has been hailed as a serious contender to rival Luke Littler, with former PDC player and pundit Matthew Edgar labeling his recent performances a “joke” due to their sheer brilliance. Speaking on Sky Sports’ *Love The Darts* podcast, Edgar remarked, “He wanted to be right up there with Littler, he’s getting very close,” highlighting Rock’s meteoric rise in 2025. With standout performances, including a semi-final run at the World Matchplay and a final appearance at the Flanders Darts Trophy, Rock’s impeccable form has positioned him as a potential co-star alongside Littler in darts’ new era, though Edgar’s colorful praise underscores the playful yet fierce rivalry brewing.

Edgar’s Praise and the Littler Comparison

Matthew Edgar, a former PDC Tour Card holder known for his candid commentary, was effusive about Rock’s progress on the *Love The Darts* podcast in August 2025, per *Dartsnews.com*. “Josh Rock’s form is a joke right now—his scoring, his finishing, it’s unreal,” Edgar said, noting Rock’s ambition to match Littler’s dominance. “He’s not just chasing Luke; he’s almost there. The way he’s playing, it’s scary for the rest of the field.” Edgar’s comments came after Rock’s thrilling performances at the Australian Darts Masters and Flanders Darts Trophy, where he showcased the high-scoring power and clutch finishing that have drawn comparisons to Littler, the 18-year-old world champion.

Rock, who won the 2022 World Youth Darts Championship with a record-breaking 104.13 average, has long been tipped as a future star. His 2025 season, including a 2024 Dutch Darts Championship title and a World Cup win with Northern Ireland, has elevated him to world No. 10, per *Yardbarker*. Edgar’s “joke” remark reflects Rock’s ability to produce jaw-dropping performances, such as his 103.18 average in defeating Michael van Gerwen at the Czech Darts Open, as reported by @OfficialPDC on X (*post:3*). Yet, it also hints at the challenge Rock faces in catching Littler, who boasts 17 PDC titles and a £1.5 million–£6 million net worth.

Stellar Performances Fuel the Hype

Rock’s 2025 season has been defined by consistency and high-profile scalps. At the World Matchplay in July, he produced a marathon 13-11 upset over Van Gerwen in the second round, highlighted by a 152 checkout, and went on to face Littler in a semi-final classic. Despite trailing 5-0, Littler staged a comeback, hitting a nine-darter in a leg where both players threw 15 perfect darts, ultimately winning 17-14 with a 107.5 average to Rock’s 104.15, per *Sky Sports* (*web:3*). Rock’s 14 maximum 180s and 170 checkout showcased his firepower, earning praise from Littler: “Josh, you’re doing nothing wrong, you’re playing your own game, happy days” (*BBC Sport*, *web:4*).

Rock continued his surge at the Australian Darts Masters in August, reaching the semi-finals with a 6-3 win over Simon Whitlock before falling 7-4 to Littler. At the Flanders Darts Trophy, he reached the final, defeating Stephen Bunting (7-5) and James Wade (7-5) before losing 8-7 to Littler in a last-leg decider, per *Sky Sports* (*web:23*). His 161 checkout to force the decider, posted by @OfficialPDC (*post:1*), underlined his clutch ability. At the Czech Darts Open, Rock’s 103.18 average dispatched Van Gerwen, and he reached the final, losing 8-5 to Luke Humphries (*Yardbarker*, *web:5*).

The Littler-Rock Rivalry: A New Era

Rock’s ambition to match Littler, who won the 2025 World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay among six major titles, is evident. In January 2025, Rock told the *Morning Star*, “I had a solid 2024 but honestly I think 2025 is going to be my year… There is six years between me and Luke. We can have a very long career” (*web:13*). His confidence is backed by performances like his 104.02 average in defeating Gerwyn Price 16-11 at the 2025 World Matchplay quarter-finals, per *Sky Sports* (*web:15*). Humphries, the world No. 1, acknowledged Rock’s potential, telling *Dartsnews.com* after the Czech Darts Open, “He and Luke Littler are two that are going to dominate the sport for many, many years” (*web:5*).

The Littler-Rock rivalry is intensifying, with their 2025 encounters—World Matchplay semi-final and Flanders Darts Trophy final—showcasing high-octane darts. Littler leads their head-to-head, but Rock’s 170 and 120 checkouts against him at the Matchplay and his 161 finish at the Flanders Darts Trophy demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level. Fans on X, as reported by *Dartsnews.com*, have dubbed them the “future of darts,” with posts celebrating Rock’s “outrageous” 101 checkout against William O’Connor at the Czech Darts Open (*post:0*).

Edgar’s Context and Rock’s Path Forward

Edgar’s “joke” comment, while complimentary, carries a playful edge, reflecting Rock’s bold persona and occasional flair for the dramatic, such as his crowd-engaging antics at the New Zealand Darts Masters, where he “joined the party” with fans, per *Dartsnews.com* (*web:22*). Edgar, a two-time PDC Challenge Tour winner, has followed Rock’s career closely, noting his 2024 climb into the world’s top 16 and his 2025 push into the top 10 (*Wikipedia*, *web:18*). However, Edgar also cautioned that Rock must maintain consistency to challenge Littler’s 17-title haul, given Littler’s £2 million-plus prize money and sponsorship-driven net worth.

Rock’s immediate focus is the Jack’s Casino World Series of Darts Finals (September 12-14, 2025) in Amsterdam, where he aims to build on his 2024 semi-final appearance. With a potential debut at the 2025 PDC World Championship looming, Rock’s form suggests he could reach his first major televised final. His sponsorship with Target Darts and a new support team, as mentioned in *Morning Star* (*web:13*), provide a strong platform for 2026, where he could challenge Littler and Humphries for world No. 1.

A Star Closing the Gap

Josh Rock’s 2025 season—marked by upsets over Van Gerwen and Price, near-misses against Littler, and Edgar’s glowing endorsement—signals his arrival as a darts powerhouse. Labelled a “joke” for his extraordinary form, Rock is proving he’s no laughing matter, with fans and pundits alike seeing him as Littler’s closest rival. As he told *Yardbarker* in August, “I’m probably playing the best darts I’ve played on a consistent basis, but I believe I haven’t hit my peak yet” (*web:20*). With the darts world watching, Rock’s ascent promises a thrilling battle with Littler for years to come.