Adelaide recruit Taylah Levy will line up for her first AFLW game when the Crows take on Brisbane on Saturday.
The Crows signed Levy as a rookie ahead of the 2023 season upon the Victor Harbor product’s return to SA, after spending three years playing basketball at Cleveland State University in the United States.
Growing up, the 22-year-old played netball, basketball and football, before being offered a scholarship to play basketball for the CSU Vikings in 2019.
The 165cm on-baller played football until the age of 16 and featured alongside Crows teammates Montana McKinnon, Teah Charlton and Hannah Munyard at SANFLW club South Adelaide.
Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said Levy had been pushing for selection, after being named as an emergency for Adelaide’s Round Three, Four and Seven games.
“Taylah Levy will play her first game at AFLW level after playing several games with South Adelaide in the SANFLW, and then impressing in several scrimmage games against AFLW opposition across the past seven weeks,” Harper said.
“We are pleased for Taylah to get her chance and look forward to seeing what she can contribute to our team.”
Utility Brooke Tonon also comes back into the side for her first game since the Round Five win against Gold Coast.
Tonon and Levy replace Najwa Allen (suspension) and Abbie Ballard, who ruptured her ACL during last weekend’s win against the Bulldogs.
“The unfortunate injury to Abbie Ballard and suspension of Naj Allen, who have both been playing excellent roles in our team, has given the opportunity for two players to come in,” Harper said.
“Brooke Tonon was desperately unlucky to find herself out of the team a few weeks ago, so she will now get another opportunity.
“We are looking forward to playing Brisbane - last season’s grand finalists - and are ready for the challenge that will present.”
Forward Lisa Whiteley, Keeley Kustermann and Deni Varnhagen are the emergencies.
Adelaide takes on Brisbane in the second week of the League’s Indigenous Round at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday at 2.35pm (ADST).
IN: Levy, Tonon
OUT: Allen (suspension), Ballard (injured)
Adelaide’s AFLW Round Eight team is:
