Adelaide’s strong 2023 campaign has been recognised with six players named in the 2023 All Australian AFLW Squad.
The Crows, who ended the season as minor premiers, have the most players nominated in the All Australian Squad.
Irish recruit Niamh Kelly has been selected in the extended squad of 42 for the first time, following an impressive second year at West Lakes.
After crossing over from West Coast ahead of Season Seven, Kelly enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2023, averaging 18.9 disposals, 2.2 tackles and 4.3 marks across 10 games.
The 28-year-old recorded a standout performance in the Crows’ Round One Showdown against Port Adelaide, taking home the medal for best afield, with 28 disposals, six clearances and a goal.
Three-time Premiership players Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff have continued to dominate in the midfield and again been named in the squad.
Marinoff has been selected in every All Australian squad since the competition's inception - averaging 28.1 disposals and 10.1 tackles across 10 games.
Partner in crime and three-time Club Champion Hatchard has been named in the squad a sixth time after averaging 23.4 disposals, 3.8 clearances and 7.6 tackles in nine games.
Premiership defender Chelsea Biddell has been included in the squad for a second season in a row.
Playing all 10 minor round matches, Biddell was a pillar in Adelaide’s defence, averaging 15.3 disposals and 5.3 rebounds in defensive 50.
Two-time Premiership star Danielle Ponter and Season Six flag-winner Caitlin Gould round out the Crows’ selections
Ponter, who featured both up forward and in the middle this year, booted a career-high 16 goals and amassed 30 clearances from 10 games.
Gould’s switch from predominantly ruck to the forward lines in 2023 proved helped pave the way for the Crows’ top-place finish, booting 18 majors to finish third in the League on the goal kicking tally.
She also finished the season with 76 hit-outs from 10 games.
The 2023 AFLW All Australian selection panel consists of Nicole Livingstone (Chair), Andrew Dillon, Laura Kane, Jason Bennett, Kelli Underwood, Sarah Black, Katie Loynes, Narelle Smith, Megan Waters.
The final team of 21 will be announced at the W Awards on Monday, November 27.
