Adelaide youngster Fischer McAsey’s career has somewhat stagnated since his debut season.
The key position player was drafted with pick 6 in 2019 and stepped out in 10 games for the Crows at AFL level in the ensuing 2020 campaign.
However, the 21-year-old has not been sighted in the seniors since, racking up 25 matches in the SANFL and averaging nine disposals and three marks from seven appearances in 2022.
SEN SA Breakfast’s Kane Cornes and Andrew Hayes discussed McAsey and where he currently sits in the landscape at West Lakes.
Cornes asked: “Fischer McAsey, where’s he at?”
Hayes believes the promising Victorian currently finds himself in “no man’s land” as he is down the defensive pecking order and not yet flourishing as a forward.
“He’s in a bit of an interesting situation because he’s not doing much at SANFL level, to put it bluntly,” he said.
“He’s not finding the footy much when he does go up forward. It was maybe even a month ago now, but he showed some good signs.
“I suppose for someone at this level and at this stage of his career he should be dominating the SANFL and that’s not really happening.
“In terms of playing him down back (in the seniors), he’s probably back in the pecking order because Billy Frampton is ready to go. I dare say he (Frampton) has probably got a few internal questions why he’s not playing AFL football (right now).
“It’s a bit of a no man’s land right now for Fischer McAsey.”
Cornes added: “Which is a tough spot.
“You use a pick 6 on him, there’s been some issues he’s had off the field and some disruptions clearly.
“They will give him time, but you would have loved to have seen more than what you’ve seen by now.”
Hayes replied: “Probably, and in terms of giving it time, you need to remember it took Tom Doedee a while to find his feet.
“There still is hope there because he’s strong, he’s big, so we’ll wait and see.
“But right now, he needs to show a lot more before he can go to AFL level and they need to make a decision whether he’s a forward or a back.”
With McAsey now in his third year in the system, and if he does not force his way into Matthew Nicks’ side soon, questions will be asked of the club’s recruiting department, says Cornes.
“It’s his third year now,” he said further.
“He played 10 games in his first year, he wasn’t sighted last year and hasn’t been sighted since.
“Once again, speaking about pressure on list management, that will be pressure on Hamish Ogilvie and Justin Reid on the back of a few others, that you think ‘I’m not sure if they got them right’.
“If they’re wrong, I think those people in those positions would be expecting to come under scrutiny internally and externally from the media and the supporters.”
McAsey last played at AFL level against the Western Bulldogs in Round 12, 2020.
He is set to to again suit up for the SANFL Crows against Norwood at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.
Mick Godden’s side currently sits on top of the ladder with a 6-1 record while the Redlegs are sixth at 3-4.