Adelaide’s AFLW players and coaches are confirming plans for the competition’s long off-season, with some leading figures heading interstate and overseas to pursue football and work opportunities.

Senior coach Bec Goddard will return home to Canberra during the off-season through her role with the Australian Federal Police.

Goddard has also accepted an assistant coach role with the Canberra Demons in the NEAFL competition.

The 39-year-old grew up in Canberra and has previously played, umpired and coached in the city, including in an assistant role with Queanbeyan in the NEAFL in 2014.

Co-captain Erin Phillips will return to the US in April to re-commence her role as Director of Player and Franchise Development at WNBA-side the Dallas Wings, as well as take on an assistant coach role with the Club.

The 32-year old splits her time between Australia and the US, which is the home of her wife Tracy.

Forward Sarah Perkins will also head home to Victoria for the upcoming VFLW season where she will line up for Hawthorn across the winter months.

A Hawks supporter growing up, Perkins will explore an off-field employment opportunity with the club while in Melbourne.

The 24-year-old has signalled her intent to sign on with Adelaide for AFLW 2019.

Players who have lined up in the SANFLW competition this year will continue to play out the season, including Anne Hatchard (South Adelaide), Jess Allan (Glenelg), Sally Riley (Norwood), Georgia Bevan (Sturt), Rachael Killian (West Adelaide), Becchara Palmer (Sturt), Talia Radan (North Adelaide), Sophie Armitstead (West Adelaide) and rookie Brianna Walling (Glenelg).

It is expected that a number of Crows will also take to the field with the NT Thunder women’s team in the VFL Women’s competition which commences in May.

Currently, AFLW clubs can only contract players on a season-by-season basis.

The re-signing period for 2019 is yet to open.

The League is yet to determine the format of next year’s competition, which will increase to 10 teams with the addition of Geelong and North Melbourne.

Another four clubs – Gold Coast, Richmond, West Coast and St Kilda – will be introduced in 2020.