Adelaide has named its team for its Round One match against Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Crows open their 2023 campaign with a Showdown - the second AFLW game against their crosstown rivals - following the historic match last year.
Skipper and three-time Premiership star Chelsea Randall has been named, alongside Premiership teammates and experienced midfield duo Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard.
As revealed on Wednesday, new recruits Yvonne Bonner and Sarah Goodwin will make their Club debuts, after impressive pre-seasons.
Adelaide Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said the Club was keen to get its campaign underway, following months of hard work during the pre-season.
“It is so great that AFLW kicks off here in SA with a Showdown,” Harper said.
“Our team produced some good form in our two trial-game wins against two of the top teams from last year in Brisbane and Geelong.
“In those games some of our reliable ,consistent players in Ebony Marinoff, Anne Hatchard and Chelsea Randall showed that they will again provide consistent performances to spearhead our team.”
Harper said Bonner and Goodwin had earned their spot, after quickly gaining the respect of their teammates and coaches.
“We have two players playing their first official game for the Crows and both have had very different journeys to get here,” Harper said.
“Yvonne Bonner has played in the AFLW before with GWS, is from Ireland and is a powerful forward.
“She arrived here at the start of June and hasn’t missed a session of training since, her teammates marvel at her resilience and ability to push herself.
“On the other end of the scale is a young gun in Sarah Goodwin who was drafted into Port Adelaide’s initial squad and played five games for them last year.
“Like Yvonne, Sarah has not missed a single pre-season training session , while impressing with her run and dash off half-back.”
Forward/ruck Jess Allan will also mark her return to the Crows by featuring in the Showdown.
Allan, the younger sister of three-time Premiership defender Sarah, played four games for Adelaide in 2018, before relocating to Canberra due to work commitments with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
“Through excellent performances in our two trial games, as well as good form in the SANFLW with her dad’s old club, Central District, she has forced her way into our team for Round One,” Harper said.
Two-time Premiership forward Danielle Ponter, three-time flag winner Stevie-Lee Thompson and Season Six grand final winning defender Chelsea Biddell have all been selected, injecting the side with plenty of experience.
Jess Waterhouse, Lisa Whiteley and Deni Varnhagen have been named as the emergencies.
Adelaide plays Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday at 2.35pm.
Tickets available here.
Adelaide’s AFLW Round One team is:
