ADELAIDE will throw first-round draft pick Fischer McAsey forward this weekend, with the Crows hoping the change in role will reinvigorate the promising youngster after a difficult start to his AFL career.
McAsey, a versatile 197cm prospect who was recruited to the club with pick No.6 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, was used at either end of the field for Sandringham and Vic Metro last season.
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However, he has so far been asked to fill a sizeable defensive role in Adelaide's winless start to the year, with the Crows backline under siege for much of the campaign.
McAsey was rested last week, but is one of four inclusions for this Saturday's clash with West Coast alongside Tyson Stengle – who has served his four-match suspension for drink-driving – as well as veteran David Mackay and debutant Andrew McPherson.
With former captain Taylor Walker set to miss due to knee soreness, McAsey will fill his void in the forward line where the club hopes he can express himself and play with more freedom.
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"Fischer will play forward," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
"We freshened him up from last week. We felt that it's a long season for guys coming in during their first year, especially with the way we've been playing him down back.
"He's had a number of key match-ups and we've been putting our backs under a fair bit of pressure in those early rounds.
"We felt like a week's rest has freshened him right up. He's had a really good break and now we'll get him back in and let him jump at a few."
McAsey has joined Ned McHenry, Will Hamill and Shane McAdam in making his AFL debut for Adelaide this season, with McPherson set to become the fifth Crow to earn his first senior appearance this weekend.
Billy Frampton, Ben Crocker and Ben Keays have also made their Adelaide debuts, having arrived during the exchange period last October and November.
