New Adelaide recruit Amber Ward can remember growing up supporting the Crows and being part of the Club’s Cheer Squad with her family.

Now the 20-year-old is set to pull on the tri coloured guernsey as a player, not just a fan.

Adelaide secured the former West Coast defender’s services earlier this month after striking a trade deal with the Eagles, which also brought Niamh Kelly to the Crows’ nest.

Speaking to AFC Media, Ward said continuing her AFLW career with the Club she grew up supporting was a “dream come true”.

“I don’t think I have words to describe it, really,” Ward said.

“It’s a dream come true.

“I have been a big Crows fan since I was a little kid, I’ve always gone for Crows and my whole family goes for the Crows. 

“We were in the Crows Cheer Squad for five years and that was a great experience.

“I’ve always loved the Crows and I am so pumped to be a part of it now.”

“I don’t think I have words to describe it.

Ward made her AFLW debut with the Eagles in 2021 after being signed as an undrafted free agent.

The former North Adelaide SANFLW player went on to play 14 games across the past two AFLW seasons with West Coast but said the pull to return home was too strong to ignore.

“I think it was getting hard with the Covid situation and the borders being closed, so I thought it was time to come home,” Ward said.

“I wanted to spend some time with my family and friends over in SA.

“I’ve got my mum, Cindy, my dad, Dave, and my younger brother Luke here, so I’ll move back in with them and it’ll be nice.

“Luke likes to claim that he taught me everything when it comes to footy, but I don’t know about that.

“But he’s pretty pumped and really excited for me.”

Adelaide has retained or extended the contracts of 25 players from its Season Six squad, while also adding Ward and Kelly.

The squad kicked off pre-season training last Saturday ahead of Season Seven starting in late August.

“I’m just looking forward to learning from all of these elite players,” Ward said.

“I’ve watched them the past couple of years and always thought they were the best of the best, so it’ll be amazing to be part of that and learn from those key players.”