What’s Lachie Fogarty hoping to see in the Carlton forward line next year?
“Hopefully a bit of flair.”
As someone who brings so much grunt to the Blues’ attacking mix, Fogarty has been highly regarded at IKON Park for the manner in which he has carved out a role for himself since the middle of 2023.
Putting injury setbacks behind him, Fogarty’s 2024 - despite a lack of luck - showed just how important he was to the Blues’ forward line. From just 15 games, he ended with 21 goal assists: the most by a Blue in a campaign since Eddie Betts in 2013.
He lives and breathes Michael Voss’ adage of being the best teammate possible — but even he knows that the competition for spots, both in the forward line and in the team as a whole, means there are no guarantees.
That’s particularly true for what could be a relatively new-look Carlton forward line in 2025, with departures, role changes, returns from injury and developing young players all being put into the mixer.
“We’ve got Zaccy Williams down there now, and he’s been massive for the group. Even for me individually, he’s had to play on some pretty good small forwards over the years - I think he’s got a few tricks which I’ve already asked him about,” Fogarty told Carlton Media.
“You’ve got Ashton Moir coming through, Jesse Motlop as well has started the pre-season really well.”
For Fogarty, whose point of difference is what he can bring on the defensive side of the game to go with his selflessness around goal, he’s heeding the message of the coaches that the Blues’ improvement is going to come through consistency in what they do without the ball.
From there, he’s hoping the Blues’ attacking talents can shine off the back of it.
“It starts with our defence: as small forwards, we speak about that front line and putting pressure on, going at the opposition with speed.
“Everybody is really talented when they’ve got the ball in their hand, everyone knows what to do. So if we can chase and put pressure on, that’s going to be the best thing.
“It’s the defence side of things, it’s probably an area we weren’t great at it last year and let the opposition score too many points - especially from stoppages. That’s No.1. When we’re winning the ball back, we’re just trying to be a bit more dynamic, opening up the ground to make it a bit bigger and allowing the ball carriers to use the ball.”
Not resting on his laurels, Fogarty - who now has 70 games on his belt - is always looking to develop his game in other areas and be the best version of himself for the team.
That includes doubling down on his strengths (“being clean, putting pressure on”), plus excelling in other areas which he identified as growth opportunities.
“I spoke to Jordy Russell once the season finished: I think it’s about refining my role. The next step is finishing my work a bit more and being more of an offensive threat.
“Off-field as well, we’ve got Harry and Charlie who lead the forward line, and I feel like I’m in the next bracket coming through that’s a bit younger to step up. It’s being more vocal in training - I feel a lot more confident having played a few more games - and trying to engage with the small forwards, working on things with them whether it’s craft or the defensive side of things.”
