SANFL talent boss says Darcy Fogarty has grunt and skill to ace AFL debut for Adelaide

SANFL talent guru reveals why Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty is ready for AFL debut.

Adelaide’s Darcy Fogarty in the JLT clash against Port Adelaide Alberton Oval. Photo: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images.

HE’S the best from the South-East that has the experts raving and Adelaide compelled to hand a rare season-opening debut to Darcy Fogarty.

Adelaide has fielded just two of its latest first-round drafts in a season opener over the past eight years, Brodie Smith and Wayne Milera.

Fogarty, 18, is a country kid who will relish the cut and thrust of a senior debut for Adelaide against Essendon on Friday night at Etihad Stadium says SANFL talent boss Brenton Phillips.

“He will put his body in and crash where he has to but in saying that he has some pretty good skill sets. He actually kicks it really nicely and has other facets of the game that are pretty strong. He is very strong overhead,” said Phillips, who last season concluded a decade as South Australian under-18 coach last season with Fogarty a star product.

“He is just a competitive beast and when you have those elements going for you, you are always half a chance.

“Most regional people have to work hard for their living and it shows in his footy traits.”

Fogarty, likened to Essendon’s Jake Stringer, was rated the best talent in the 2017 AFL draft by Hawthorn great and list master Gary Buckenara given his potential as an ultra competitive swingman. However Fogarty slid to elated Adelaide at No.12 with a meniscus tear affecting the 192cm, 93kg forward/midfielder’s form in the 2017 national championships.

Fogarty had impressed in four league games for Glenelg last season before labouring with knee discomfort until surgery in August.

“He probably had an interrupted championships and carted a knee around bravely.

“He just wants to play football, that is what I like about him,” said Phillips of Fogarty who will replace skipper Taylor Walker in attack against the Bombers.

“There was concern around his performances at the national level but we had him as a 17-year-old in our state program and last year.

“One thing is for sure, you don’t lose your ability to play the game, you just add circumstances of him playing at 100 per cent.

“If you have got it, you have got it. I think he will work out pretty quickly you can’t bash and crash at the next level as they will bash and crash you back,” said Phillips of Lucindale export Fogarty.

“He just has to be a little bit smart. He won’t shirk the issue that is for sure.

“We don’t expect him to be Taylor Walker and smash a game open. I would love to see it, but you expect to see him compete for his position and provide an option for the boys up the ground.”