Adelaide Premiership player Rhiannon Metcalfe has announced her retirement from the AFLW after six years with the Club.
The inaugural Crow lined up in 26 games after making her debut in Adelaide’s first game against GWS in Round One, 2017.
She cemented herself as one of the premier rucks of the competition in Season One, averaging 17 hit-outs across eight matches. She also finished third for disposals among the first-choice rucks in 2017.
Unfortunately, Metcalfe missed Adelaide’s 2019 campaign after tearing her ACL in a pre-season trial game against Fremantle.
She returned in 2020 and played two matches, before featuring in nine games in 2021 including the Preliminary Final win against Melbourne and the Grand Final loss to Brisbane.
The popular ruck was placed on Adelaide’s inactive list in Season Six due to work commitments with the Australian Defence Force.
Now 30, Metcalfe said the time was right to move on with the next stage of her life.
“The people were influential, the (2017) victory was euphoric, and the journey was phenomenal,” Metcalfe said.
“Now, I have further dreams and aspirations that my heart and mind are ready for. It’s time for that new chapter.
“It’s over to the next generation of footballers to inspire, succeed and love the game as I do.
“I am eternally grateful for my time with the Adelaide Football Club.”
Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper thanked Metcalfe for her significant contribution.
“Rhi is a much-loved person and player at the Adelaide Football Club," Harper said.
"She helped to establish the culture of our women’s program from day one and also had a big presence on the field – every one walked taller with Rhi by their side.
“We are sad to see Rhi go, but we understand and respect her decision to move onto the next chapter of her life.
“Rhi will always be a Crow and we know she will continue to cheer her friends and former teammates on, just as she did on Grand Final day this year.”
In another change to Adelaide’s list for Season Seven, two-time Premiership player Dayna Cox will be placed on the inactive list due to her work commitments with SA Police.
Cox has been one of the Crows’ most reliable defenders after being signed for the Club’s inaugural AFLW season.
She joins Deni Varnhagen on the Crows’ inactive list for Season Seven.
Forward McKenzie Dowrick has been delisted but the Club may use a pick in the upcoming AFLW Draft to re-select her.
Adelaide will enter the AFLW Draft on June 29 with three selections - No.40, 75 and 78.
ADELAIDE’S SEASON SEVEN SQUAD:
Chelsea Randall, Anne Hatchard, Ebony Marinoff, Sarah Allan, Eloise Jones, Danielle Ponter, Najwa Allen, Hannah Button, Teah Charlton, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Ashleigh Woodland, Marijana Rajcic, Jasmyn Hewett, Montana McKinnon, Caitlin Gould, Rachelle Martin, Hannah Munyard, Chelsea Biddell, Zoe Prowse, Brooke Tonon, Abbie Ballard, Jasmine Simmons, Madison Newman, Ailish Considine, Lisa Whiteley, Niamh Kelly, Amber Ward.
