Top pick Crow steps away from AFL
Adelaide Football Club’s Fischer McAsey, their number six pick in the 2019 draft, says he has lost “a lot of the enjoyment and desire” needed to play top-level football.
Fischer McAsey with Crows coach Matthew Nicks at the 2019 AFL draft. McAsey is leaving football after a three year career. Photo: Michael Dodge/AAP
The Crows said today that the 21-year-old Victorian utility – who played 10 AFL games in his debut 2020 season but hasn’t featured since – had told the club he “no longer has the passion to play and perform at the elite level”.
McAsey has been on personal leave to stay with his family in Melbourne since November.
The 197cm tall from Sandringham Dragons was the Crows’ highest-ever selection when he was picked at No.6 in the 2019 AFL Draft.
“Unfortunately, I have lost a lot of the enjoyment and desire to improve which is required to make it at the top level,” McAsey said in a club-issued statement.
“It has been an extremely difficult decision to come to, and one that I haven’t taken lightly, but through discussions with close friends and family, the Club and my management, I feel that it is the right decision for my long term future and well-being.
“I am very grateful to the Club for their support and allowing me some time to reflect on where I want to be moving forward.
“There has been a large number of people who have worked very hard on my development as a player and person, and for that I’m highly appreciative.
“Not everyone will understand the decision, but I’m comfortable with the path that I’m headed, and am excited by the ability to pursue other interests.
“I will always be thankful to the Crows for giving me the opportunity to live out a boyhood dream, and I wish everyone at the Club the best for 2023 and beyond.”
McAsey was contracted to stay with the Crows until the end of the 2023 season. He declined to explore a move back home to Victoria when he signed a two-year contract extension with the club in 2021.
The decision means he will be placed on Adelaide’s inactive list for the 2023 season.
Crows head of football Adam Kelly said the club respected McAsey’s decision.
“The welfare of our players is always our top priority and while we are naturally disappointed to see Fischer step away, we understand the reasons behind his decision and there is much more to life than football,” Kelly said.
“We were fully supportive of his request for personal leave in November and remained in regular communication with both Fischer and his management during the past two months.
“We respect his decision and we would like to thank him for his contribution, and he will always be welcome at our club.”
Adelaide’s first game of the season is on Sunday, March 19, against GWS at Giants Stadium.
