Adelaide youngster Fischer McAsey won’t be returning to the club in 2023, with the 21-year old making the decision to walk away from the AFL.
McAsey had already been granted personal leave by the Crows over the Christmas period, remaining in Melbourne with family.
A statement released by club and player on Monday confirmed his departure, with McAsey saying it was ‘an extremely difficult decision’ and citing a loss of passion to play at the highest level.
“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.
“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.”
Fischer McAsey of the Crows and Eric Hipwood of the Lions challenge for the ball. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Taken with pick 6 in the 2019 national draft, McAsey was at the time the Crows’ highest ever draft pick, a record since beaten by 2020 pick 2 Riley Thilthorpe and matched by 2021 pick 6 Josh Rachele.
However, McAsey was unable to add to his 10 career games after the end of 2020, and was regularly linked to several Victorian clubs.
He signed a two-year contract extension during 2021.
“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,” Adelaide head of football Adam Kelly said in a statement.
“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.”
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I don’t approve of either. I have great respect for James Hird as a footballing mind but he should never be head coach anywhere ever again. Sheedy should be pushed into a dignified retirement as well
JB
Guest
Fischer has got involved with the Up Lift Community since his return to Melbourne last year https://www.instagram.com/upliftcommunity_/?hl=en https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uplift-saturdays-tickets-459630837207
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
How is it we have a inferiority complex, please do explain.. What’s wrong with that as well, so chad enjoyed beating the crows as much if not more than finals, again explain what’s wrong with that? Maybe you should go back to 1984 like You wish for just so you can use the C word and call cheer cheese what it use to be. I mean all this coming from a guy that still thinks the famous camp was a tea party and there was nothing to see. Bahahaha delusional at best aren’t you Crom boy. :laughing:
Which club and supporter base has the humongous inferiority complex???? Yes - it’s the forever poor ugly cousins from port power! Go ask Chudley cornes who rates showdown wins as bigger then finals LOL LOL LOL Pay your debts!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmao bottoms up, whatever it takes right.lol.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Calf blood extract that’s drink to that Adam :thumbup:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmao ahh the joys of autobots.lol. We are probably in the clear, cats still running around like he's high on catnip after last year, well I know I would be.lol.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Gee wiz my post went to space dust not sure why we can’t use the word P..SY Cats but anyway we need to tread carefully don’t have tea tree oil handy if we get scratched mate :happy:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
We need to tread carefully l haven’t got any tea tree oil handy if we get scratched by a particular pussy cat :stoked:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmao. I need that to date back to 2007 remember and than I can have our second premiership locked in.lol. :laughing:
AG
Guest
What are you on about?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Geelong admit to sourcing dr.gs in 2009 from Dank but hey that’s the past :happy:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Yeah I do, i also remember saying it could all be nothing too and he could legit just be over it or did you forget that bit did you. Geesh Port Adelaide and our supporters really do live rent free in your head dont they. What happened did you venture into Port Adelaide and end up with something in your Ur@nus did you.?
Where’s there’s smoke there’s fire and all that blah blah blah typical crap. Remember that goldfish!
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
And if you could read English that is also what I said thank you anchor.
Oh, it has to be between he and the club does it port power person!? Couldn’t possibly be he just didn’t like LIVING in Adelaide and being away from family and friends!!! You do realise 95% of the time these blokes are just living normal lives, not at the club! But you go right ahead champ and blame the AFC! He signed a two year extension - nothing to do with the club!
JB
Guest
I'd be interested on thoughts about Kevin Sheedy's board appointment in 2020. Better still, how do you feel about Sheedy promoting James Hird's return to the Bombers, as their senior coach no less. I'm sorry, but you need to look a little closer to home if you're searching for comedic disfunction
JB
Guest
Just to put some context into my previous post. Sydney had had pick 5 in the draft. So yes, there was a genuine chance that they would bid on Tom Green (and he's going pretty to date). More context. Sydney took Dylan Stephens at pick 5. An SA lad many thought Adelaide would take. To date Dylan Stephens has barely fired a shot. Swings and roundabouts
JB
Guest
Good question. He had a great pedigree as junior and was rated from U/16's through to the draft. AFL Academy. MVP over Rowell and Anderson at the championships. You could mount an argument that Adelaide got shafted indirectly by the AFL gifting GCS a priority draft pick in addition to a variety of other draft and list concessions. Adelaide were well into Anderson. Consensus was GCS were always going to take Rowell. And Melbourne were heavily into Luke Jackson. Adelaide's pick 3 turned into pick 4, with no chance of picking up their initial target. Essentially, Adelaide were in the box seat for Anderson, until GCS went running to the AFL, cap in hand begging. With GCS being gifted a priority pick and choosing to take team mates Rowell and Anderson, Adelaide chose to drop down the draft order via pick swaps with GWS. This gave GWS the opportunity at a second top 10 pick (Lachie Ash) prior to having to match a bid on Tom Green (GWS Academy - taken at pick 10 after a bid by Carlton). Maybe Adelaide picked him a little early. The rationale at the time was related to finding a good long term replacement for Daniel Talia.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You present a thorough and cogent case. I'll probably have nightmares thinking about it and it's future portend.