Three weeks after the historic 2019 AFLW Grand Final, dual premiership co-captain Chelsea Randall returned to Adelaide Oval in a slightly different role.

Randall was one of the head coaches of the Crows Academies Boys Elite Talent Squad in the recent AFL Curtain Raiser match before Adelaide’s clash with Gold Coast in Round Five.

The squad of forty was split into two teams: former Crow Jason Porplyzia coached Team Walker while Randall was in control of Team Sloane.

The match featured some of the best under 15 males in South Australia’s pathway programs.

“It’s a great opportunity for these young boys to represent an AFL club and also have these opportunities to play on Adelaide Oval, South Australia’s most iconic ground,” said Randall.

“It's a pretty special moment, it’s not often you get to play in a curtain raiser to Eddie Betts’ 300th and Brodie Smith’s 150th game.

“I really enjoy coaching, the boys were a very talented bunch and even better people.”

It was an even contest for most of the game, with only a goal separating both teams for most of the day.

However, the speed and classy ball movement from Team Sloane in the last quarter allowed them to take the win by 22 points.

The young talents put on a remarkable display of football in front of a healthy crowd that started to grow as fans arrived for the AFL match.

Archie Lovelock kicking under pressure

Porplyzia said the academies program offers up wonderful experiences for the boys who are involved.

"The curtain raisers extend upon their participation at club land and their exposure to an AFL environment would, I’m sure, be the envy of many other boys their age," Porplyzia said.

"This game was another example of an absolutely amazing opportunity for every Crows Academies Boys Elite Squad member and there was plenty of excitement in the changerooms with the chance to play on Adelaide Oval, which was an experience these boys will never forget.

"For many of the players we hope this is the first of many times they not only get to play on Adelaide Oval but also in a Crows guernsey."

The next time the talent squad plays in a curtain raiser will be against Port Adelaide’s talent academy in Round 16 prior to the next home Showdown.

Scores

Team Sloane 10.11.71 defeated Team Walker 7.7.49

Best on Ground

Team Sloane: Nick Sadler

Team Walker: Archie Lovelock