Crows coach Don Pyke says Darcy Fogarty has a long-term future at Adelaide

Darcy Fogarty is yet to play a senior game this year after 10 on debut in 2018 but coach Don Pyke says he is “incredibly confident” the young forward will become a great player for the Crows.

Darcy Fogarty is yet to play an AFL game this season but coach Don Pyke is confident in his long-term future at the footy club. Picture: Sarah Reed.

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Adelaide coach Don Pyke says he has enormous belief in Darcy Fogarty’s long-term future at the club despite failing to pick him for a senior game this season.

Fogarty has been unable to crack the Crows’ AFL side in 2019 despite injuries to Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch, but the club is playing the long-game with its 2017 first-round draft pick who is contracted until the end of 2021.

Elliott Himmelberg has been preferred as Jenkins’ replacement given he can pinch-hit in the ruck while Ben Davis made his AFL debut against Geelong on Friday night to help replace Lynch.

Fogarty, who played 10 AFL games in his first season last year, played in Adelaide’s SANFL team against Sturt on Saturday. He was quiet on a tough day for forwards before being given a run on the ball late.

Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty tangles with Central's Jaxon Neagle in the SANFL this month. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

“Darcy has done some work down back and he’s now playing forward at SANFL level, and he’s progressing,” Pyke said on radio FIVEaa during the week.

“Clearly, and he’d be the same, we’d like to see him improving in terms of his form and consistency.

“It’s not really Darcy versus Ben (Davis), everyone’s journey is slightly different.

“I still have incredible belief that Darcy is going to be a great player for us for a long period of time.

“As a 19-year-old forward he’s learning his craft, and I’m sure he’s going to finish the season really strongly.

“He’s not far away from selection but we felt Ben’s form warranted selection ahead of him.”

In other news at Adelaide, small forward Lachlan Murphy has signed a two-year contract extension after working his way off the club’s rookie list and cementing his spot in the senior side.

Murphy had 10 disposals and kicked one goal against Geelong on Friday night to make it 14 goals for the season.

“Lachlan has gone from strength to strength after a strong debut year in 2018,” Adelaide’s list manager Justin Reid said.

“He has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is today, and his courage, pressure and desperation has earnt the respect of his teammates, coaches and everyone involved at the football club.

“We’re rapt to have Murph sign with us for another two years.”

His signature followed Davis and emerging defender Jordan Butts also inking two-year deals at West Lakes.

Davis had a quiet debut on Friday night, finishing with seven touches, but showed enough poise and strength around the ball to encourage his coaches.