As the start of the 2023 AFLW Season edges closer, three-time Premiership star and Leadership Group member Ebony Marinoff gives fans an inside look at how things are tracking so far.

Pre-season

We are heading into our eighth week of pre-season and it is unbelievable that we are already two months down. 

I feel this is the best shape we as a group have entered a pre-season in, as we put in a heap of extra time during the off-season – January to May – which made the transition back to pre-season training much smoother.

Everyone has returned to the track in tip-top shape. I know it’s a bit cliché to say but it’s true.

Abbie Ballard is moving the best I have seen her. 

She always had this natural flair and ability, but I think now she is ready to take her game to the next level.

Hannah Munyard’s work rate and speed has improved. 

She has now spent a couple of years in the system and is getting used to what her body can do and is able to better push it to the limit. 

Caitlin Gould was best-on-ground in the off-season. 

She did not miss a session and set a new PB in yo-yo (fitness test), with her having the largest improvement from last season’s results. 

Leadership group vote

Heading into this season I am excited to again be voted in as part of the leadership group.

This will be my third season as an official leader and I can’t wait to continue to grow in that space.

Being a leader at this football Club is something so special and it’s something I certainly don’t take for granted. 

We have an extremely strong and stable leadership group, led by Chelsea Randall, and we are always striving to get better.

Pre-season getaway to Kapunda

Our pre-season getaway to Kapunda was a great opportunity to strengthen the bonds we already have and get to know our new recruits - Sarah Goodwin, Jess Allan, Taylah Levy. 

We trained hard but also got to do some fun activities including lawn bowls and a talent show.

Each player had to dress up as a movie character for the lawn bowls day and Abbie Ballard won best dressed. Abbie dressed as Alan from the Hangover. It was very funny and a fantastic four days.

Latest Crow

Earlier this month we found out that unfortunately McKenzie Dowrick had a setback with her ACL recovery and has been placed on the inactive list for the 2023 season.

We’re all supporting Kenny as she continues to get better and I’m sure she’ll be doing everything to come back better.

Kenny’s injury meant we could sign a replacement player, so we have welcomed Brooke Smith into our Crows nest. Brooke Smith has been playing with the Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates League and has also experienced senior football with the Casey Demons in the VFLW.

We’re all super excited to have Brooke with us and can’t wait to see what she can do this year.

Fixture locked in

Our 2023 fixture was released this week and we couldn’t be more excited to now know who we will be playing each week.

What better way to kick off our new season than going head-to-head with cross-town rivals Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval.

It is going to be huge for us to get our season started off with a bang and have the whole of South Australia getting around AFLW.

We look a bit different to last year and Port has recruited some good players so it should be a fun contest.

I have played in many games at Norwood Oval and the atmosphere is always amazing with the fans being so close to the action.  

The best way to be able to watch all our home games live is to join the Crows family and sign up as Members.

There’s plenty of options available, so take a look here.

Can’t wait to see you all at the footy soon.

Go Crows! 

Cheers,

Noffy