Emerging forward Darcy Fogarty has been a fan favourite since he first pulled on the tricolours last year.

Now in his second year at the Club, he says the support he’s received from his skipper Taylor Walker has done wonders for his development.

Fogarty arrived at West Lakes after being taken by the Crows at pick No.12 in the 2017 AFL Draft and it didn’t take long for fans to make comparisons between the teenager and his new captain.

The pair had strength, a fierce competitive nature and trademark booming kicks in common, and Walker was quick to take the 19-year-old under his wing.

“He’s mentored me, he’s invited me to things to get me out and social,” Fogarty told AFC Media.

“He’s been a really good person to me and I’m not the first one - he’s a good person to everyone.

“He’s one of the best.”

Fogarty burst onto the scene in Adelaide’s second JLT pre-season game last year, kicking three first-half goals against Port Adelaide to become an instant fan favourite.

He made his AFL debut two weeks later in Round One and went on to play 10 senior games in his first year.

But a healthy Adelaide list in 2019 meant the teenager spent most of the season in the reserves.

“It’s been a bit of a development year for me, but it’s been really good,” Fogarty said.

“Lynchy’s been working really closely with me, and Tex too obviously - they’ve been really helpful with my development.”

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Fogarty even spent some time in the defensive half, an experience that gave him a new perspective on his own game.

“I got to mix with a completely different group of blokes - the likes of Tals [Talia], Otto [Otten] and Harto [Hartigan],” Fogarty said.

“To be able to put the knowledge I learnt into my forward craft was beneficial - knowing what defenders like and don’t like and how to work them over.

“I’m still learning a fair bit and working with Tex on how to do that, but to have a base knowledge from the backs is really good.”

Fogarty returned to the senior side on Saturday night and finished with five inside 50s from nine disposals, five marks and an impressive goal from beyond the arc in the final term. 

“It was unreal, especially to get the win and have the boys upbeat now, it’s a pretty good feeling,” Fogarty said.

“It was good, all the boys got around me and to hear the roar [of the crowd] was unreal.”

Walker also had fans on their feet in his Crows’ victory over the Saints, booting four goals from 12 disposals and six marks.

His impact on the scoreboard was undeniable, but the impact he had on his teammates was even greater.

“[Walker] is just such a lovable guy and everyone loves it when he’s up and about,” Fogarty said.

“He’s so influential on the game and he lifts us when he’s playing well and kicking goals.”

Post-game, Pyke said he expected Fogarty to hold his place in the side when the Crows head west to face the reigning premier this Saturday.

“He’s a young guy that’s got energy ahead of the ball, he comes at it, competes really strong strongly,” Pyke said.

“He had a couple of big chases and pressure tackles and he kicked a nice goal in the last quarter that probably got us over the line.

“It was good to get him in… he’s going to get better for it.”