AFL pre-season, signing news: Darcy Fogarty to remain a Crow until end of 2025

A Crows sharpshooter will remain at West Lakes for the near future, being rewarded for a career best season.

Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty has penned a two-year contract extension with the Crows.

After he had a career best season in 2022 the 23-year-old has signed a new contract with the Crows to keep him at West Lakes until at least the end of 2025.

The 193cm key forward was drafted by the Crows with the 12th pick in the 2017 Draft.

He struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the Crows 22, and was used as a defender in the SANFL and even as a pinch-hitting midfielder at AFL level in 2021.

But in 2022 Fogarty emerged and had a career-best season.

Fogarty kicked 33.14 from 17 games and finished sixth in the best-and-fairest.

He also kicked a goal in every game after Round 11, finishing with three four-goal hauls, and was nominated for both mark and goal of the year in Round 20.

Crows list manager Justin Reid said Fogarty had taken his game to a new level over the past year and was set to be a long term key forward for the club.

“Darcy has put in an enormous amount of work on and off the field and has been rewarded with consistent performances particularly in the back half of this season,” Reid said.

“He has always had a lot of potential and as we know in this industry, young key forwards take time to develop, and we are really pleased with the progress he is making.

“It’s fantastic that he has recommitted to the Club as our exciting young forwards continue to emerge together.”

Fogarty had his best season for the Crows in 2022, including high-flying marks and accurate goal-kicking. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The change in fortune for Fogarty on the field came after he and fellow young key forward Riley Thilthorpe undertook confidence training with Melbourne-based Rob Walker.

The six-month course that the two forwards have been on includes repeating daily activities and they also chat via Zoom with Walker once a week.

Fogarty said he was excited for the future at the Crows.

“I’ve loved my time here and I’m really happy to extend my contract for the next few years,” Fogarty said.

“It was good to play some consistent footy towards the back end of this year and also see the improvement in our team as we play more football together.

“The group we’ve got is heading in the right direction, we have an exciting young forward line playing under Tex and I’m just happy to be a part of that.”

MCKENNA’S CHOICE: EX-DON MAKES CALL ON AFL RETURN

Jay Clark

Ex-Essendon speedster Conor McKenna will continue his AFL career at Brisbane next season in another boost to the Lions’ premiership hopes.

McKenna, 26, on Thursday confirmed he would join the Lions under the supplemental selection period rules which allow the club to add him without giving up a draft pick.

McKenna had spent the past two years back home in Ireland but decided to return to Australia where he played 79 games for the Bombers between 2015-2020.

Conor McKenna will resume his AFL career in Brisbane.

Lions’ list boss Dom Ambrogio has closely tracked McKenna throughout the year while he played Gaelic football in Ireland.

The former Bomber was keen to return to the AFL and join a premiership contender, picking the Lions over St Kilda, Port Adelaide and Geelong.

He could play either in defence or in attack and will add some crucial speed on the outside for the Lions who wanted some extra class and linebreaking pace to improve the team.

The move continues Brisbane’s brilliant post season with the club adding former Western Bulldogs’ hard nut Josh Dunkley and Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston in the exchange period.

No. 1 pick Will Ashcroft is also on the way as the outstanding talent in this year’s national draft. He could step straight into the midfield.

McKenna will start training with the Lions when they resume preseason training after flying out to Australia in recent weeks.

Originally published as AFL pre-season, signing news: Darcy Fogarty to remain a Crow until end of 2025