Darcy Fogarty’s rise to Adelaide Crows captain – even if for just one day

Darcy Fogarty will captain the Crows for the first time against the Hawks on Sunday afternoon, despite being behind three vice-captains in the queue. Is it a sign of things to come? MATT TURNER takes a closer look.

Adelaide promoted Darcy Fogarty into its leadership group this year hoping the extra responsibility would bring the best out of him.

On Sunday, the 24-year-old key forward will captain the Crows for the first time.

The team has rewarded Fogarty for his leadership growth this season.

With skipper Jordan Dawson (concussion) sidelined, vice-captains Ben Keays, Brodie Smith or Reilly O’Brien were next in line to be acting captain.

But Adelaide, which had a propensity to rotate its stand-in skippers, wanted to give Fogarty the opportunity.

The timing felt right on the back of a standout performance in which he showed how far he had come since being added to the club’s leadership group in February.

Missing ex-captain Taylor Walker and with Dawson out for the final quarter, the Crows needed their other leaders to stand up against Essendon at Marvel Stadium last week.

Fogarty took the game by the scruff of the neck, kicking four goals from 17 disposals to help steer the side to a gritty two-point victory.

Darcy Fogarty celebrates a goal in the win over Essendon. Picture: Mark Stewart

“When we needed that leader to step up, all of a sudden Darcy would appear in your screen,” coach Matthew Nicks said on Thursday.

“It wasn’t necessarily mark, goal, it was contest and things that would maybe go unnoticed.

“It’s been a steep development (in the leadership group) – he’s made massive ground as a leader.

“He’s always been a player that talks up in meetings and asks questions of others.

“Now with that added responsibility – and we saw it on the weekend with Taylor not there – it was so pleasing to see him step up.”

In an interview with The Advertiser in March, Fogarty listed calling things as he saw it and his authenticity as some of his leadership strengths.

Teammates said when the Lucindale product spoke, everyone listened.

“It’s obviously really humbling to be in this leadership position,” Fogarty said in March.

“It was a little bit of a surprise at the start, but now it’s pure excitement to have a bit more responsibility in the year and help Dawse push the team in the direction he and everyone want to go in.

“I’ve still got some creases that I need to iron out in my game and week-to-week stuff.

“Nicksy has pushed me to be the best version of myself and help some of the younger boys learn, now that I’m one that has to set the example.”

Fogarty chases down Saint Josh Battle. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

And takes a contested mark against the Giants. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

Fogarty’s early season form reflected Adelaide’s.

When the Crows were 1-5 to start the campaign, he had tallied 5.6 from six matches while averaging 9.5 disposals and just three contested marks.

The turning point seemed to be Adelaide’s 30-point Showdown triumph in round 8.

That night Fogarty registered a season-high four contested marks and four tackles, as well as two goals from 14 disposals.

The 2017 No.12 national draft selection has kicked 28.7 since that uncharacteristically wayward 5.6 start to the year.

He has booted at least two majors in nine of the past 10 matches and has collected at least 13 touches in five of those games.

It is something of a breakout year for Fogarty, who is on track for career-high figures in goals (he has 33, one off his best of 34 last year), marks and inside 50s.

He has already taken more contested marks (25) this season than any other.

Some people within the Crows believe Fogarty could be a future captain.

Fogarty told The Advertiser in March that he was unsure if he wanted to be.

The player handed the No. 32 guernsey worn by club great and former skipper Mark Ricciuto will get a taste of the captaincy on Sunday, if only for one game.

Originally published as Darcy Fogarty’s rise to Adelaide Crows captain – even if for just one day