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Bone’s beef: AFL great Tony Modra should mentor Crows youngster Darcy Fogarty

TONY Modra is the man to mentor Crows youngster Darcy Fogarty on how to play with his size and courage, says Chris McDermott.

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Handle with care.

This sign must be hung around Crows youngster Darcy Fogarty’s neck immediately.

Their No.1 draft pick is showing all the signs of being a quality, “ long term “ player but he must be given time to develop his craft in the SANFL before being exposed to the game at the highest level. .

Fogarty, 18, is physically built for the game at the highest level, at 193cm tall and weighing 94kg, but as we have seen with St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin, having the size and shape is only part of the package.

If you don’t have the smarts or the awareness, size doesn’t matter.

Football great Tony Modra. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.
Football great Tony Modra. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

Lack of awareness and lack of knowledge of how to use his frame has decimated McCartin’s first three seasons playing just six games in his debut year, followed by 11 in 2016 and then just five last season. Multiple concussions his downfall.

An inability to protect himself when competing for the ball, in the air or on the ground has been his weakness.

Darcy Fogarty marks the ball during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Crows and the Fremantle Dockers. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images
Darcy Fogarty marks the ball during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Crows and the Fremantle Dockers. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Tony Modra is the man to mentor Fogarty on how to play with his size and courage.

Mods is shorter than Fogarty but was fearless in his attack on the ball. Absolutely fearless.

If Fogarty could learn Modra’s secrets, anything is possible.

Fogarty crashes packs without fear but at times without adequate knowledge and protection.

One day he will get it horribly wrong.

He must be given the tools now before he needs them in a game .

They must become second nature.

Stephen Kernahan spent hours upon hours with Pater Carey developing his craft.

The time for Fogarty to do likewise has arrived.

Prevention is better than cure.

Originally published as Bone’s beef: AFL great Tony Modra should mentor Crows youngster Darcy Fogarty

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/chris-mcdermott/bones-beef-afl-great-tony-modra-should-mentor-crows-youngster-darcy-fogarty/news-story/22dde818fdcfce12de3005c59a89ee66