Adelaide has continued its signing spree, with five Premiership stars reaffirming their commitment to the Club ahead of the AFLW Season Seven.
Two-time Premiership players Danielle Ponter and Hannah Button, together with 2022 Premiership player Teah Charlton, have honoured their existing two-season contracts, signed last year.
Three-time Premiership utility Stevie-Lee Thompson, who signed a two-year deal during last year’s Sign and Trade period, also opted against joining a rival Club for Season Seven, while 2022 Premiership defender Najwa Allen has put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension.
Thompson, who was elevated to the leadership group this year, notched her 50th AFLW match alongside teammate Sarah Allan in the Preliminary Final win against Fremantle.
The 30-year-old, originally from Darwin, said she was proud to remain at the Crows.
“The Club is like my second home and my teammates are my family,” Thompson said.
“I’ve grown so much as a person and a footballer over the past six years.
“Staying with the Club that gave me an opportunity and one that has invested so much into our women’s program was a really easy decision.
“I’m really excited about Season Seven and to start our Premiership defence.”
Adelaide selected Ponter at the 2018 AFLW Draft, giving the skilful forward a chance to follow the footsteps of her uncle, Essendon legend Michael Long, and cousin, Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli.
The classy ball winner has lined up in 35 AFLW games so far in her career, including the 2019 and 2022 Premierships.
Button was also selected at the 2018 AFLW Draft and made her debut in Round One, 2019.
She helped Adelaide win the 2019 premiership, missing only one game during the season.
The midfielder did not miss a beat this past season, playing every game, including the Premiership win against Melbourne.
Allen, a hard-running defender originally from Canberra, was taken in the second round of the 2019 AFLW Draft.
The 27-year-old formed part of Adelaide’s strong defence this past season, which only had an average of 18. Points scored against it across 10 minor round matches.
Charlton, 20, played every game in her debut season in 2021, including the Grand Final loss to Brisbane.
She took her game to new heights in 2022, only missing one game due to illness and earned a Rising Star nomination in the Round Eight win against Fremantle.
Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said retaining the five players was a huge coup for the Club.
“We have worked so hard, not just over the past few months, but over the past seven years to create a program where players not only want to come to, but want to stay,” Harper said.
“These five players have helped build on the foundations and they are going to play a huge part in our future.
“We couldn’t be happier they all decided to remain with the Club and are looking forward to seeing them take their games to new heights in Season Seven.”
