Fogarty, Jones, McHenry, McAdam, Stengle and Himmelberg — the six SANFL Crows giving fans hope of a bright future in attack
Adelaide’s No. 1 attack from 2017 has become stale and needs rejuvenating. The players who can form a new, dynamic mix are already on the list and will be on show at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, writes The Phantom.
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As it was against Norwood last week, the future of the Crows’ forwardline will be on show at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Darcy Fogarty, Chayce Jones, Ned McHenry, Shane McAdam, Tyson Stengle and Elliot Himmelberg
The six names Adelaide fans are desperate to see on the senior side’s Round 1 teamsheet next season.
And rightly so.
Former skipper Taylor Walker and Tom Lynch will still be there but with the uncertain futures of Josh Jenkins and Eddie Betts, the retirement of Richard Douglas and a desperate need for speed and pressure, there’s likely to be an all-new look inside-50 in 2020.
The highest-scoring attack from 2017 has become stale, finishing this year as the 11th-best scoring side in the competition, and a rejuvenation is needed.
But the players who can form a new, dynamic mix, are already on the list.
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Fogarty’s star potential is obvious, as he showed with a standout five-goal performance against West Coast in Round 21, and it’s the 193cm 19-year-old — who is free to play this week after being offered a fine for striking — which Adelaide’s future in front of goal will be built around.
After crossing from Richmond, Stengle played two senior games this season, booting five goals, and will be better for another pre-season at West Lakes.
The 20-year-old’s four tackles — two inside 50 — to go with 19 disposals, seven score involvements, four inside 50s and two goals in the first semi-final against Norwood, highlights how the defensive side of his game is improving.
And top-draftee Chayce Jones showed he’s ready for a regular senior birth in 2020 after an impressive final-round display in the disappointing loss to the Bulldogs.
The tough, 180cm Jones might eventually end up in the centre square, if his clearance work in Round 23 is anything to go by, but a forward role beckons next year.
While 21-year-old key-forward Himmelberg booted eight goals in his seven AFL games in 2019.
But it’s the form of McAdam and McHenry, who are yet to taste top-level action, which might excite Crows fans the most.
Unlike Stengle, defensive pressure isn’t something McHenry, Adelaide’s second pick (No. 16) in last year’s draft, needs to work on.
The tenacious 19-year-old from the Geelong Falcons applied five more tackles than any other player at the 2018 under-18 championships and he recorded 11 against Central in Round 5 — his fourth game at SANFL level.
The 179cm, 70kg McHenry lined up 200cm Port Adelaide big man Billy Frampton in the qualifying final before having a crack at Norwood’s 110kg ruckman Sam Baulderstone last Sunday.
A slight frame won’t hold him back much longer.
In his second game after returning from a long-term back injury, McHenry booted the first two majors of the match before finishing with 17 disposals, 10 score involvements, four goals and 123 Champion Data ranking points in the 61-point win over the Redlegs.
And after an inconsistent 2019, McAdam, who continues to work hard on his fitness base, highlighted his enormous talent in Sunday’s victory.
The 24-year-old, who booted 31 goals for Sturt in the SANFL last season, tallied 12 disposals, 10 score involvements, eight marks, three goals, two score assists and 96 ranking points.
McAdam, who stands at 182cm, equalled West Coast star Nic Naitanui’s running vertical jump record at the national draft combine in 2015 and he’s quick.
But it was his ability to find a teammate by-foot going forward which stood out at Adelaide Oval.
Can they help deliver another win against Glenelg in the preliminary final?
And, maybe more importantly, hope for an already-disgruntled fan base?