Kane Cornes says Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty is “at the crossroads” after he was overlooked for selection on Friday night.
Elliott Himmelberg (illness) was a late withdrawal for the Crows' match against Essendon at Marvel Stadium, with young defender Will Hamill named as his replacement.
Adelaide were thrashed by 63 points, kicking their lowest score (2.9.21) in club history.
Fogarty, a former No.12 pick in the 2017 National Draft, was dropped after Adelaide’s loss to Carlton in Round 15 and has since been vying for a senior recall in the SANFL.
“Selection (at Adelaide) is fascinating to me,” Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.
“How Darcy Fogarty isn’t in this team is an indictment on Darcy himself.
“I’m not critical of the club for not selecting him, but at the stage where he’s at in his career, when you’re crying out for options forward of the ball and the team is crying out for some aggression and some competitiveness, for someone who can kick straight – they kicked 2.9.
“He’s got to look deep into himself right now. When (Elliott) Himmelberg withdrew, Darcy Fogarty wasn’t even the automatic inclusion.
“They had (Sam) Berry and (Luke) Pedlar surrounded by (Billy) Frampton and (Riley) Thilthorpe in the forward line and Darcy Fogarty – fifth year at the club, first-round draft pick, all the talent in the world – wasn’t selected.
“He’s absolutely at the crossroads. I know he signed a two-year contract extension, but I wouldn’t be opposed for Adelaide trading him at the end of the year if something came across their desk that was enticing.”
Contracted to the Crows until the end of 2023, the 21-year-old kicked two goals, took nine marks and collected 19 touches against South Adelaide on the weekend.
Fogarty has kicked 41 goals in 34 appearances for Adelaide since debuting in 2018.
More in AFL
“This time next year…”: Cornes’ bold pick for his next AFL head coach in waiting
“I think he is the most ready head coach in waiting.”