AFL 2024: The numbers behind Adelaide Crows forward Darcy Fogarty’s form spike

Over summer, the Crows hoped Darcy Fogarty’s elevation to the leadership group would result in the long-awaited next step. And after an early stumble, maybe it has.

The Fog has lifted for Adelaide.

Yes, he had some moments that, had he converted or kept his composure, very well could have won the game for Adelaide against Brisbane on Sunday.

But Darcy Fogarty looks to have finally arrived in 2024.

The 24-year-old was elevated to the Crows’ leadership group this season.

When the key forward speaks, saying exactly what he is thinking, everyone at the Crows follows him.

This led to him getting voted in by teammates and coaches before the season started.

Adelaide hoped this would take his game to another level this year.

But for most of 2024 so far, Fogarty has done what he has largely done since his career at West Lakes – save for that spell in the second half of the 2022 season and for patches in 2023 – leave Crows fans wanting a lot more from a player they have extremely high hopes of.

Darcy Fogarty has enjoyed a big two weeks for the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While Crows forwards coach Scott Burns said Fogarty was the best key forward on the ground in Round 1, he only had nine disposals and two marks.

In Round 2, he kicked two goals against Geelong but had a haunting miss late.

Over the next five games, he kicked five goals, going goalless against Fremantle in Perth and Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

Now with a weekly paid TV gig, Fogarty has been forthright about his tough start to the season and hasn’t shied away from the criticism and scrutiny he has copped.

But things have changed over the last two weeks, with Fogarty having the impact on games he has been looking for.

He set the tone for the Crows’ stunning Showdown win over fierce rivals Port Adelaide with two goals early on in the contest.

Against Brisbane, he finished with four goals.

In both games, he has gathered coaches votes.

When it comes to the numbers, the improvement has been stark.

His three goals per game over the last two outings is a whopping 233 per cent up on the 0.9 he was averaging over the first seven rounds of the season.

His eight marks is 122 per cent up on the 3.6 he averaged over the first seven.

His shot at goal accuracy percentage has risen 74 per cent from 43 per cent to 75 per cent and his disposals 40 per cent from 10 to 14.

Fogarty booted four goal against the Lions, including this one late. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Can he maintain this form? Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He has gained a of confidence,” Crows senior coach Matthew Nicks said after the draw on Sunday.

“Last week he started so well. His aerial is back, he looks like he is going at the footy and then we know what he can do on the ground.

“So yeah really pleasing to see where Fog is at, and that has come off a lot of hard work and that is what we are about as a group.

“So it is quite pleasing to see individuals going well, as well as the group.”

Fellow member of the Crows leadership group Reilly O’Brien told this masthead that Fogarty getting back into form was massive for the side.

“Fog is so important to our team, he offers so much for us ahead of the ball and with his ball use for a powerful guy,” he said.

“Last week I thought he was awesome with his presence in the air and tonight he was great, kicking goals and being a real presence in the air.

“I love seeing him getting back to full form, he can be one of the best forwards in the league when he is in full flight.

“It certainly is a tough role being a key forward, you are dependent on the ball coming in and that.

“He has been playing his role but probably hasn’t been playing to a super high level that he expects, but now he is finding that definitely.

“I think he has been awesome the last couple of weeks, he is building which is great because he is so important to us.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: The numbers behind Adelaide Crows forward Darcy Fogarty’s form spike