Adelaide Assistant Coach Michael Godden says the appointment of forward Darcy Fogarty into the Leadership Group is a credit to the growth the 24-year-old has shown.

Now entering his seventh season with the Club, this week Fogarty was announced as part of Adelaide’s 2024 Leadership Group after being voted in by his teammates.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Godden said it was an exciting development for the Club to have Fogarty in the leadership group and he was keen to see what the forward would add.

“He is a great player, we know that, but he needed to learn a lot more and he’s growing into leadership, he is having a lot more to say,” Godden said.

“Generally they have more to say when they know what they’ve got to say.

“With time in the game he’s learnt what to do and what’s right and what we (as a club) and he needs from his teammates.

“He is growing in that space, which is fantastic. It's great for us as a footy Club that someone like him, who has put in a few years now, is starting to grow in the leadership space.”

Fellow forward Riley Thilthorpe has also impressed Godden this pre-season, with the rapid development he has made both physically and mentally.

Godden said the 21-year-old had worked hard to ensure improvement across the summer.

“(He’s) a fair way advanced, mentally and physically (than last year),” Godden said.

“He had a lot of niggles last year, he worked his way and got through them, so he is in really good shape.

“This pre-season his marking is really strong, he is powerful over the footy, he is spending more time in the ruck, so we are excited about what Riley is going to bring.

“Mentally he feels confident now, he belongs, and he knows he belongs and he knows he can be great.”

Godden has split his time between Adelaide’s SANFL Senior Coach and an assistant with the AFL side since 2021 but this year he will  take on a number of new roles, with a tweak to his responsibilities both during the week and on matchdays. 

His new role will allow Development Coach Matthew Wright an opportunity to coach the Crows’ SANFL side at moments throughout the season.

“My role has changed a fair bit actually,” Godden said.

“Training coordinator is one of the things I have done throughout the pre-season.

“I am also a coaching mentor, so I look after all the coaches to make sure they are growing as individuals and also collectively.

“I obviously manage the SANFL program as well and I will coach them when time permits but it is an opportunity for Matt Wright to step up under my guidance, he can now get an opportunity to coach League Footy and that is fantastic.”