Darcy Fogarty touted as top 10 selection for this week’s national AFL draft
Glenelg and former Lucindale footballer Darcy Fogarty is expected to be the first South Australian taken at this Friday's AFL national draft, with a number of clubs showing interest.
The 18-year-old played four league games for Glenelg this season but suffered a knee injury which curbed his influence.
He grew up in Lucindale in the south-east, before moving to Adelaide to board at college.
While once considered a number-one selection at this year's draft, the 192-centimetre forward-midfielder is expected to be selected in the top 10, almost certainly meaning a move interstate.
"It doesn't really faze me, moving away from home," Fogarty said.
"Just hopefully [I] get an opportunity somewhere.
"I'm pretty nervous, [it's] nerve-racking, not knowing where you are going to go, if you do go."
Most of Lucindale's population of about 400 are expected to be at the local hotel to watch the draft on Friday night.
"They have done a lot for me when I was younger … [I'm] pretty grateful for that."
AFL recruiters have noted his versatility with the teenager able to play both back and forward and also as a big-body midfielder.
"What I like about Darcy is he can play multiple roles," SANFL talent manager Brenton Phillips said.
"You are going to get a very, very good footballer with that pick."
Mr Phillips said he expected about six SANFL players to be drafted this year.
Among the other South Australians who could be drafted are Sturt's Callum Coleman-Jones, Andrew McPherson from the Eagles and Norwood's Harrison Petty from Wudinna on the Eyre Peninsula.
"He [Petty] came through the national championships really well, all-Australian, and he's made some huge improvements with his football," Mr Phillips said.
Several older SANFL players could also be drafted including Glenelg's former Melbourne player Dom Barry and Patrick Wilson from the Double Blues.
Jackson Edwards, the son of former Adelaide star Tyson Edwards, could also be taken on Friday or at next Monday's rookie draft.
The national draft will be held in Sydney on Friday night with a number of players in the running to be selected first, including Cameron Rayner, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Paddy Dow, Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra.
Brisbane has the first selection, followed by Fremantle, Carlton and North Melbourne.
Adelaide has its first selection at 12, Port Adelaide will have its first selection at number 46.
Last year's number-one pick was Essendon's Andrew McGrath.
