Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy believes Adelaide should give more opportunities to young small forward Ned McHenry, adding he should seek another home if they don’t.
Speaking on SEN’s Sportsday with Kane Cornes, Healy sees the Bulldogs as a team in need of small forwards.
Healy: “I know I mention this a lot, but Ned McHenry to me is an AFL player and if he’s not playing regularly for Adelaide, he should find himself another spot.”
Cornes: “Agree. They’ve got a few similar types with McHenry, Murphy, Pedlar, Soligo, Rachele…”
Healy: “I think the Bulldogs could do with a Ned McHenry as another crumber. I know they’ve got Cody Weightman, but he’s more of a small full forward rather than a crumbing forward.”
McHenry has been named on the bench for the Crows ahead of their Friday night clash with Fremantle.
He injected some energy as the substitute against Geelong, picking up 11 disposals and seven marks.
Cornes can’t work out why Lachie Murphy continues to hold his place in this Adelaide side, despite his lack of scoreboard impact.
“Someone’s texted in calling me out for my criticism of Lachie Murphy this year – he just hasn’t had an impact,” Cornes said.
“He’s a small forward that doesn’t kick goals, Murphy.
“He’s had a total of 20 disposals and no goals in the first two games of the year. He’s just not in good form.
“Those are not the stats of a small forward worthy of keeping his spot in an underperforming team.
“He kicked nine goals in 2021, nine goals in 2022 and 12 goals in 2023. What small forward doesn’t kick goals but holds their spot in the side like this?”
Murphy was added to Adelaide’s leadership group for the 2024 season.
He has kicked 68 career goals from 100 games.
