The Limestone Coast will be well represented at two levels of the Adelaide Crows this season, with three footballers and a former basketballer holding leadership positions within the AFL and SANFL teams.
Former Robe footballer and All-Australian Jordan Dawson will again captain the Crows, with the side’s leadership group comprising South East players Darcy Fogarty and Mitch Hinge.
Meanwhile, former Pioneers basketballer Jack Magden will lead Adelaide’s State League football side.
Senior Coach Matthew Nicks said a combination of their diversity in experience, thought and strengths, ability to influence the group, as well as their drive for success and love for their teammates were among the compelling reasons for their elevation to a leadership role.
They were voted in by the playing group with the backing of the coaches, and the leadership group was formally endorsed by the club’s board and senior management.
Key forward Fogarty, 24, grew up in Lucindale and has played 79 games since being drafted by the Crows in 2017.
He has established himself as a strong overhead mark and one of the most reliable set shots for goal in the competition.
Hinge, from Mundulla, joined Adelaide from Brisbane in 2021 and has taken his career games tally to 43.
Last year he cemented his spot in the AFL side as a dangerous rebound defender and finished equal fourth in club champion voting.
“We’re fortunate to have stability in our core leaders, led of course by Jordan Dawson who was outstanding in his first season as skipper,” Nicks said.
“And our strong culture has enabled others to develop and they have done so in a significant way in recent years.
“The four new players to the group – Darcy Fogarty, Mitch Hinge, Wayne Milera and Lachie Murphy – have been standouts and bring their own skillsets and experiences to the group. We embrace that diversity in experience and thought which makes us stronger as a team.
“They have all had different journeys to AFL football and our club, and know what it’s like to overcome challenges which will hold us in good stead.
“Being endorsed by their peers is a sign of the respect they have amongst our group and I’m excited for them to work together.”
Madgen, who played for the Castec Rural Pioneers in 2016 and 2017 has been named the SANFL Adelaide Crows captain.
The 30-year-old was signed as the Crows’ SANFL leadership player ahead of the 2023 season when he returned home to South Australia after five seasons with Collingwood.
Madgen played 49 AFL games for the Magpies after being drafted as a Category B Rookie in 2017, when he made the switch to football from basketball where he played with the Pioneers, then Cairns in the NBL and college in the US.
The key defender featured in all 19 of the Crows’ SANFL games in his first season and took on a role in the club’s academies space, mentoring the next generation of talent including father son prospects.
Madgen said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the side.
“I grew up as a kid in the Barossa supporting the Crows, so to captain any Crows side is a huge honour and I’m really looking forward to it,” Madgen said.
“It’s pretty hard to do it all on your own so I’m really looking forward to sharing this experience with my teammates and bringing them along for the ride where I can.
“Since arriving at the club I have immersed myself with all the different teams, whether it be SANFL, AFL or AFLW and I think that is really going to help me as a captain this season.”
