Former Adelaide star Sam Jacobs has urged people to be patient with the young Crows side as they attempt to climb back up the ladder.
Jacobs, who has returned to West Lakes as a club engagement executive, believes there is a “lot of work to do” in development, but stressed that the club is on the right track.
The former Crows ruckman singled out one player in particular that he believes receives too much criticism for his performances.
“I reckon one, who gets some pretty harsh critics at times, is Darcy Fogarty,” Jacobs told Sportsday SA.
“I think now we’re starting to see him find that consistency in games at the moment.
“We all know he’s a beautiful kick. It’s a tough position to play, as a key forward.
“He’s only 21-22 (years old) so it’s going to take time but I think now we’re starting to see he’s consistently in games longer which is important.
“He’s starting to hit the scoreboard, so we know that it should be a focus to get the ball in his hands because he’s going to kick the goal more times than not.”
After an exodus of players following the Crows' pre-season camp debacle, Jacobs is certain that the club and coach Matthew Nicks are building a strong culture and environment for the new crop of players.
“It’s really positive and really strong. I think there’s a real understanding that there is a lot of work to do but we need to have patience with these boys,” Jacobs said.
I think ‘Nicksy’ (Matthew Nicks) is finding that balance of teaching them the blueprint on how he wants to play that’s going to hold up in finals and big games going forward.
“You’re not just coaching to win games of footy now, you’re coaching for the future as well.
“I think they’re doing a good job at strengthening that culture and making sure all the boys are really buying in.”
Fogarty is averaging 8 disposals, 2.8 marks and 1.4 goals across 14 matches in 2021, similar to his career averages.