Fischer McAsey says it’s surreal to officially be an AFL player after he was taken by the Crows
Adelaide’s Fischer McAsey and Port’s Miles Bergman said they have no reservations about moving to South Australia from Victoria and are keen to get stuck in.
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Adelaide recruit Fischer McAsey said it’s a surreal feeling to officially be on an AFL list.
McAsey who was selected at pick six by the Crows has been touted as a future replacement for key defender Daniel Talia.
McAsey, 18, is a 197cm, 91kg contested-marking player who was the No. 1 ranked key position player at the national championships.
He led all key defenders for disposals (14.5), marks (6.5), intercept possessions (6.8) and intercept marks (3.8) while averaging 97 ranking points.
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But he can also play in attack and pinch-hit in the ruck.
“It’s a pretty surreal feeling, it’s pretty special,’’ McAsey said on SEN SA Breakfast.
McAsey said constant communication with Adelaide during the course of 2019 will make the move away from family in Melbourne easier.
“They’d (parents) obviously be a little bit sad, the main emotion is just pride and love really,’’ McAsey added.
“They’ve obviously been a great support for me throughout my childhood and my footy journey so they’re really proud,’’ he said.
“I met Hamish Ogilvey and the recruiting staff quite a few times during the year.
“I had some really good interactions with them, they seem like a club with a great culture and great people and I’m happy to be on board with the Crows,’’ he said.
McAsey has been compared to Geelong’s Harry Taylor and Essendon’s Cale Hooker for his ability to play at both ends of the ground.
“I think I’ll start as a defender in the backs group, but I’d be willing to switch back and fourth where ever they need me,’’ he added.
McAsey said he was impressed by new Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks.
“He seems like an awesome fella,’’ McAsey said.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck into training with him.
“He really spoke about open communication, that’s how he likes to go about things, I’m really looking forward to it,’’ he said.
McAsey will join his new teammates in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon, while Port Adelaide recruit Miles Bergman will land in Adelaide on Saturday and had no reservations about to move from Melbourne.
“Not really, none at all.’’ Bergman said.,
“I’ve always been pretty open to moving. Where ever my footy takes me I’m happy. Everyone seems to love it there,’’ he said.
Bergman, taken with pick 14, is 189cm, 83kg, and hardly trained fully this year due to his shin splints and missed a bulk of his under-16s campaign with stress fractures in his foot.
But he registered 13 NAB League games for Sandringham Dragon in 2019 and represented Vic Metro, and he was rated for his penetrating kick, contested marking, athleticism and vertical leap – he won the standing jump (77cm) at the national draft combine.
“I took about a month off straight after the combine and started running last week,’’ Bergman said.
“Probably not fully fit but no pain so pretty much getting back into it,’’ he said,
Port will have the first pick when the 2019 Draft continues tonight with Glenelg defender Will Gould and WA inside midfielder Deven Robertson, who many expected to go in the first round, still up for grabs.