Adelaide’s inaugural and longest serving AFLW Captain Chelsea Randall has advised her teammates and the Club that she will hand over the reins ahead of the 2024 season.
Randall was named co-captain of Adelaide’s inaugural side in 2017 with Erin Phillips, and the pair led the Crows to a Premiership in that same year, as well as in 2019.
She became sole Captain in 2021 after Phillips stepped down, with Randall’s record eight-season reign as Skipper including being crowned Club Champion in 2018, becoming a four-time All Australian and winning the AFLW’s Most Courageous Player award five times.
The now 32-year-old also skippered the Crows to a historic third AFLW flag in 2022 during Season Six and was named the AFLW’s Best Captain in Season Seven.
The decision to step down as Captain follows Randall’s two-year contract extension, which was announced at the Club Champion Awards on Friday night.
Randall, who has played 60 games for the Crows, said it had been a privilege to Captain the squad for eight seasons but the time was right to step away.
“After eight incredible seasons, I’ll be stepping away for a new era to take this team to even greater heights,” Randall said.
“Thank you to the players, both past and present, for their ongoing belief in me from the very beginning.
“The opportunity to lead such inspiring women has been my greatest honour.
“I’m comfortable now, more than ever, knowing we have amazing and inspiring leaders to continue to lead this Club forward."
Randall also paid tribute to the Crows’ past and present leadership group.
“I want to thank the leaders I’ve shared this journey with and who have helped shape where we see this program today.
“My co-captain of four years, Erin Phillips, Sally Riley, Angela Foley, Courtney Cramey, Jess Foley, MJ Rajcic, Sarah Allan, Eloise Jones, Stevie-Lee Thompson and Ebony Marinoff, I’ve learnt so much from you all, and I appreciate you more than you know.
“A special mention to Bec Goddard, Matthew Clarke and Dan Jackson for their support across my own leadership journey.
“Thank you for letting me be your Captain, I love you all.”
Adelaide will appoint a new Captain for its 2024 AFLW campaign during pre-season next year.
