Adelaide forward Tom Lynch has heaped high praise on young gun Ned McHenry, declaring he's going to be 'an absolute star'.
The 19-year-old livewire is poised to break into the senior side in 2020 as part of a youthful forward line under new senior coach Matthew Nicks.
McHenry – the 16th overall pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft – struggled with a back injury in his first season at the Crows.
However, his outstanding form at the back-end of the SANFL season, including a four-goal, 17-disposal performance in a semi-final win against Norwood, gave a glimpse of what he's capable of at the elite level.
McHenry has carried that into the pre-season, finishing second behind fellow first-round draftee Chayce Jones in the club's 2km time trial in November.
Lynch has no doubt that the diminutive McHenry is on the verge of making an impact next year.
"McHenry's going to be an absolute star," Lynch told AFL.com.au.
"He's one of the more competitive little blokes I've ever seen walk into a footy club.
"He was trying to get his body right last season so he can consistently play, but once he was playing at SANFL level, he was stringing some really good games together.
"High numbers, high pressure, high contest and he's in for a big career."
The Crows are going to have find different avenues to goal next season with prolific goal-sneak Eddie Betts and key forward Josh Jenkins having departed the club.
They were second and third in the club's goalkicking in 2019, with Betts booting 37 and Jenkins kicking 22 despite only playing 11 games.
Former skipper Taylor Walker was the Crows' leading goalkicker with 43, followed by small forward Lachlan Murphy with 19 and Lynch (17).
Lynch believes the youngsters – including powerful forward Darcy Fogarty, who booted five goals against West Coast late in the season – are ready to step up.
"We've got a really youthful and inexperienced forward line, but a lot of the guys have been playing some really consistent footy for a few years now and when they have got their chances, have really performed well and done everything we've asked of them," Lynch said.
"Lachie Murphy's improving every session and Ben Davis has had an unreal summer.
"And you've got the competition of Elliott Himmelberg and Billy Frampton, those two are bulls who are competing every day."
Former Collingwood forward Ben Crocker is an intriguing addition after the Crows picked him up in the rookie draft.
"He's got a lot of tricks," Lynch said.
"If he keeps going the way he's going, I'm sure he'll be an important member of our mix."
