ADELAIDE is tempering expectations on exciting prospect Darcy Fogarty ahead of the 19-year-old's first game of the season in Saturday night's clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.
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Crows supporters have been crying out for the young key forward to get an opportunity after he showed glimpses of his immense potential in 10 senior games last year.
Fogarty – the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft – has played at both ends of the ground in the SANFL to continue his development before returning forward in recent weeks.
Fogarty made his presence felt in 10 senior games in 2018. Picture: AFL Photos
Crows forward Tom Lynch said the sky was the limit for Fogarty.
"Darcy can be anything he wants to be," Lynch said.
"We're not asking him to be the best power forward of all time tomorrow night, we just want him to play his role, provide multiple options and work really hard.
"He does that, and he's going to get consistency as his career unfolds."
Fogarty has kicked four goals in his past four SANFL games, but Lynch said it was the little things that didn't register on the stat sheet that were just as important.
"His improvement's come from his multiple efforts," Lynch said.
"He's providing multiple options ahead of the ball – one, two, three leads."
We're not asking him to be the best power forward of all time tomorrow night, we just want him to play his role - Tom Lynch on Darcy Fogarty
Fogarty gets his chance at the expense of experienced key forward Josh Jenkins, who was dropped for the second time this season.
The 30-year-old had been in reasonable form – kicking nine goals in his past three games – but was one of four changes from the side that lost to Carlton by 27 points last week.
Paul Seedsman, Patrick Wilson and Tyson Stengle have also been omitted, with star forward Eddie Betts, midfielder Bryce Gibbs and veteran Richard Douglas coming back into the side.
"That's the reality of sport," Lynch said.
"When there's inconsistency from anyone, you put yourself in a position that the selection table works out what the best mix is for us to win games of footy.
"We're trying to find the right mix."
Gibbs – dropped five times this season – gets another chance on the back of 40 disposals, 10 clearances and 10 tackles in the SANFL.
The Crows (9-9) have lost four of their past five games, but are still eighth on the ladder, ahead of the Western Bulldogs on percentage.
"We're not playing footy that's going to be able to compete for finals, but certainly with four games to go, if we can build momentum and earn our spot in the eight, we feel like we can beat anybody," Lynch said.
"Our destiny's in our own hands."
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