Darcy Fogarty adds pace, loses weight as he looks to cement his place in Adelaide line-up
Quicker, leaner Darcy Fogarty is making every post a winner as he looks to cement a spot in the Adelaide Crows’ best 22.
Crows
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crows. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Fagan’s paddock: New HQ to end closed training
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Darcy Fogarty has slashed six seconds off his 2km time trial and shed 2kg in a bid to finally cement a spot in Adelaide’s best 22 next season.
A first-round draft pick the “rejuvenating’’ Crows are pinning their hopes on after losing a host of key veterans in the off-season, Fogarty has hit the ground running this pre-season, revealing private work with fitness coach Warwick Raymond was paying big dividends.
And after spending the first half of last season playing in defence in the SANFL, Fogarty said he had been training as a forward under new coach Matthew Nicks and hoped to next season partner mentor and former captain Taylor Walker in an attack which has lost ace goalkickers Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“I’m happy to play wherever I’m needed but I’d prefer to play forward,’’ said Fogarty, who has played 14 AFL games, but only four last season, since being selected at pick 12 at the 2017 national draft.
“It was tough playing defence at some stages last season but it was an unreal learning year, being down back training closely with Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan, learning what they do, and playing there in the SANFL.
“Then I got to train against (key forwards) ‘Tex’ (Walker) and ‘Lynchy’ (Tom Lynch), as opposed to playing alongside them in drills.
“That was unreal for my development – being able to understand what defenders do and don’t like and the best way to expose them – and hopefully I can start putting that into some aspects of my game when I play forward again.’’
The Crows’ raging bull showed what he was capable of producing at the top level when he bagged five goals in just his second AFL game of the season against 2018 premier West Coast in Perth in round 21.
The 20-year-old followed his breakout match with three majors the following week against Collingwood, prompting star backman Talia to declare he had the tools to be the club’s next great forward.
Nicknamed “The Fog’’, Fogarty is powerfully built at 193cm and 97kg and admitted he struggled to run games out last year, which contributed to his patchy form.
But he has dropped 2kg – he finished last season at 99kg – and cut six seconds off his previous best 2km time trial.
Fitness, he said, had been his major off-season focus as he tries to fulfil his promise on a more regular basis.
“I’ve tried to strip weight, get my body right, to allow myself to be able to run a bit better and have more of an impact in games,’’ Fogarty told The Advertiser, adding that Raymond had “belted’’ him and a handful of Crows teammates during their official break.
“Hopefully that will allow me to play more consistently throughout games and back up week to week.
“I’ve been working hard on my endurance and also repeat efforts, to have the ability to be able to give multiple efforts more consistently and provide more options for my teammates.
“I have to eliminate those patches, phases, where I fade out of games for 10 minutes here and there.’’
Fogarty, a Glenelg product from the southeast country town of Lucindale – 340km from Adelaide – has a naturally solid physique and said he was trying to find the right balance between shedding kilos while not losing his power.
“My legs are solid, it’s hard to strip weight off them, but the more weight I strip while still maintaining my strength would be the ultimate goal,’’ he said.
Fogarty, who has bagged 18 goals in his 14 AFL appearances, booted five without a miss against West Coast, leading legendary Essendon goalkicker Matthew Lloyd to describe him as the best kick for goal he had seen in a decade.
Fogarty, meanwhile, said Nicks had made a strong early impression on the players, emphasising the importance of a standout pre-season.
“He’s brought a new, positive vibe into the club and everyone is loving training under him,’’ he said.
Fogarty joined his Adelaide teammates at the Adelaide Showground on Tuesday for the Crows Children’s Foundation Christmas Party, where 480 children and their families were entertained at Santa’s Wonderland.
“The kids had a ball and to see the smiles on their faces was really rewarding,’’ he said.
Established in 2005, the Foundation has contributed more than $5m to children in need.