Instant shock over Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty’s six-year contract extension.

Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty has signed a huge six-year contract until the end of the 2031 AFL season.

South Australian Fogarty, 25, was due to become a free agent next season but has instead made a long-term commitment to Adelaide.

In 2024, he scored a career-best 41 goals and also passed the 100-game mark.

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Announcing the deal, Adelaide wrote on social media: “Crow for life 💙❤️💛.”

But the colossal extension – seven years in fact – surprised many, including Kane Cornes.

Cornes is a vocal critic of long-term contracts after many of them backfired on clubs.

As soon as the Ravens made the announcement, one person said, “Can someone please check on Kane’s welfare?”

And Cornes said: “Another seven more years – he must be very, very, very good.”

While some fans reacted positively to the news, the vast majority were on Cornes’ side.

“I’m a Crows fan and I don’t like this deadline,” one said.

And: “We have seen time and again that these contracts mean nothing if the player or the club wants to leave. My question is why does AFC feel the need to always do long term deals? Darcy hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in her last 8 years on the list.”

And one more thing: “Plays at least 2 good matches a year if he plays twice for the Blues.”

And one more thing: “Now this is, in fact, a standard contract for signing keys.”

In a statement, Fogarty said he loved the club and felt it was “heading in an exciting direction.”

“As forwards we have built great chemistry and it has been good to learn from some of our senior players and now we have the opportunity to pass on some of that knowledge and experience to others,” he said.

“No career is without challenges and I feel like I’ve made real progress in my first 100 games and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 100 games hold for me.

“I would like to finish my career as a player for one club, the club believed in me and I am happy to repay them and continue the journey with my teammates.”

Fogarty was selected 12th in the 2017 AFL Draft. He overcame a rocky start to his career to become an important part of Adelaide’s forward line.

With Taylor Walker in the twilight of his career and Riley Thilthorpe still young, Fogarty is likely to lead Adelaide’s attack next year.

His early signing is also crucial for an Adelaide side determined to reach the finals and ease the pressure on coach Matthew Nix, who is in his sixth year at the helm.

“The growth we’ve seen in Darcy since he was drafted, but especially over the last two seasons, has been significant,” roster director Justin Reed said.

“His ability to work the floor, his controversial marking and his performance as one of the most reliable set-pieces in the competition make him a very important part of our front line.

“This year he has taken the opportunity to be part of our leadership group and his form has been recognized by finishing in the top five in our club champion award.

“We are delighted that he has committed his long-term future to the club.”

Fogarty joins Sydney’s Nick Blakey, Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage, GWS’s Brent Daniels and Carlton’s Jacob Weitering to re-sign until 2031.

Only Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee, Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton, St Kilda’s Max King, GWS defender Sam Taylor and Richmond’s Noah Balta, all signed until 2032, have longer contracts.

– With 7NEWS Digital