PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows kicks on goal during the 2019 AFL round 21 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

An embarrassing performance on Friday night against Essendon sees Adelaide as the most out-of-form side in the competition.

Being held to their lowest score ever, the Crows were outgunned in every facet of the game by a middle-of-the-table Bombers side.

Although winning big games against top-side Melbourne and a huge come from behind win against the Saints, the Crows have gone 2-8 in their past 10 games, placing them last in the competition within that span.

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The performance against Essendon wasn't fit for the occasion and had many upset with the AFL for having it scheduled as a Friday night blockbuster over other game's more worthy of the bill.

St.Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt labelled it "a disgrace" in a scathing assessment during the half-time break, in which Adelaide were down 44-9 at the time.

The poor string of form for the Crows has had their coach Matthew Nicks under immense pressure, admitting post-game that the Crows "embarrassed themselves on the big stage".

The only person who seems to be under more pressure than Nicks is Crows sharpshooter Darcy Fogarty. Fogarty was dropped after the Crows' Round 15 loss to Carlton, in a game where he struggled to find much of the ball despite kicking two goals.

Fogarty is yet to return to the side since being dropped, a fact that is surprising to those externally from the club. Fogarty has been an accurate kick for goal, an area the Crows have struggled with in recent weeks.

Once Elliot Himmelberg was named as a late out before the game, many expected Fogarty to get the call up back into the senior side. However, Nicks opted for a more defence option, with Will Hamill getting the call up instead.

Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has questioned Fogarty himself, believing the young forward is at a "crossroads" with his club.

“Selection (at Adelaide) is fascinating to me,” Cornes said on SEN SA.

“How Darcy Fogarty isn’t in this team is an indictment on Darcy himself...when you’re crying out for options forward of the ball and the team is crying out for some aggression and some competitiveness, for someone who can kick straight – they kicked 2.9.

"He’s got to look deep into himself right now. When Himmelberg withdrew, Darcy Fogarty wasn’t even the automatic inclusion.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Darcy Fogarty of the Adelaide Crows thanks the fans after the round seven AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 5, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

“He’s absolutely at the crossroads. I know he signed a two-year contract extension, but I wouldn’t be opposed for Adelaide trading him at the end of the year if something came across their desk that was enticing.”

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The lack of re-selection into the senior side for Fogarty, even after a late out Friday night, is puzzling. Inability to get recalled back into an undermanned forward line that kicked Adelaide's lowest ever score has ominous signs for the former first round pick.

With Adelaide well and truly out of finals contention for another season, it will be important for Fogarty to make his way back into the side and string games during the back end of the year.

Fogarty has kicked an accurate 15.4 from 10 games for the season and will look to break back into the senior side for the Crows game against West Coast this Sunday.