Adelaide Vice Captain Darcy Fogarty says being elevated into the leadership group has changed him for the better, both as a person and a footballer.
The 25-year-old was elevated to the Crows’ leadership group prior to last season, and by his own admission, experienced great growth.
In 2024, he kicked a career-high 41 goals and captained the side for the first time in its Round 20 clash against Hawthorn, with Skipper Jordan Dawson on the sidelines injured.
His development was recognised by his peers and duly rewarded, after being retained in the leadership group for the 2025 season.
Speaking to AFC Media on the eve of his eighth campaign, Fogarty said a simple shift in mindset had helped elevate his game.
“I’d probably view it as a step in the right direction for my development, and shows that while I’m still learning and growing in the leadership space, I’ve been doing an okay job of it so far, ” Fogarty said.
“The main thing I’ve learned through this leadership role is to stop focusing so much on myself.
“I think changing that mindset has really helped lift my performance, whether it be in a game or out at training, I’m not so consumed in how I’m going and why things might not be going my way. My biggest concern is helping the guys around me and having a positive impact on the team.
“Alleviating that stress of my own performance has allowed the game to come to me a little bit more, and as a result I’ve seen improvement in my own performances, which has been pleasing.”
Fogarty will be a key pillar in Adelaide’s forward set-up in 2025, which sports an exciting mix of talented youth and seasoned experience.
He said the group had gelled well together over the summer and was excited for the upcoming season.
“As a forward group we are in a really good space, everyone is fighting for spots and there will be some good people missing this year, which shows our depth,” Fogarty said.
“The competition over the pre-season has been really fierce, a lot of guys have put their hand up to play important roles for us, and as a footy Club it is a great position for us to be in.
“As a group we’ve been together for a few years now and I feel we are really connected and have a great understanding of how each other plays.
“The mix of youth and experience we’ve got in attack is really promising, and with the injection of a few mids as well, I think it’s going to be an exciting year to be a forward.”
From a personal point of view, the drive to improve is always on his mind.
And Fogarty revealed one key area that he believed would elevate his game to new heights.
“The biggest thing for me is consistency across the season,” Fogarty said.
“Over the last couple of years I feel I’ve been gradually improving both on the field with my performance and off the field with my leadership and mindset.
“If I’m able to continue that growth, learn more about myself as both a player and person, and impact games more consistently, then I’ll be happy.”
Adelaide begins its 2025 season with a clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, March 16.
Get your tickets here.
