The men’s and women’s sides may be separated by COVID-19 restrictions, but Senior Coach Matthew Nicks says his boys are constantly inspired by the Crows’ AFLW performances.
Adelaide’s AFLW side currently sits top of the ladder with a 7-1 win-loss record after a thrilling win over Fremantle in Round Eight.
Answering questions at Adelaide’s Members’ Meeting on Tuesday evening, Nicks said the AFL team takes note of the women’s side “daily”.
“It makes you so proud when you watch our women’s team play footy. Every weekend we know what performance we’re going to get, led by the ultimate leader - Chelsea Randall,” Nicks said.
“Chelsea does a lot of work with us and I talk to Chelsea regularly because she’s such an outstanding leader.”
Nicks said the Crows’ ‘One Club’ mentality shines through the AFLW side’s hard-fighting style of play.
“Doc (AFLW Senior Coach Matthew Clarke) and I will constantly talk around the game plan,” Nicks said.
“When you watch the girls play, it puts a smile on my face to see the way they go about it and there are a lot of similarities about the way we’re playing.
“We’re one Club, and I know our guys at the moment are so proud about the way the girls are going about it.
“We look forward to the time where the girls can sit back and watch and they’ll be proud of what we’re putting out on the ground.”
Looking ahead to the men’s Round One game against Fremantle, Nicks said he was confident the Crows’ game plan would be defined by that same tough mentality in 2022.
“I’m really confident the work we’ve done over the past couple of months is going to put us in a really good position,” Nicks said.
“We want to play an in-your-face style of football where the opposition thinks you’ve been hard to play against.
“What I can guarantee to our Members and supporters is that we’ve got a hungry group of players.
“They’re young and enthusiastic and they’re going to put a level of footy out there that’s 12 months on from what you’ve seen last year and you’re going to be really happy with what you see.”
Adelaide’s AFLW side will look to secure a minor premiership berth in their Round Nine clash against Collinwood at Norwood Oval, where the Club will celebrate Indigenous Round.
This match is proudly supported by BHP.
First bounce is at 2.40pm on Sunday, March 6, and tickets are available now through Ticketek.
The Crows’ AFL team takes on Port Adelaide in a Community Series match on Saturday, March 5, before heading into Round One on March 20.
For a limited time, you can secure tickets to the final AFLW game of the season AND two AFL games of your choice in 2022 for just $60.
Sign up for a Boundary Line Membership today and become part of the Crows family.
