Adelaide has finalised its 2024 AFLW coaching structure with Premiership Crow Renee Forth returning to the Club and men’s players Jack Madgen and Kieran Strachan joining the ranks.

Forth has been appointed midfield development coach, having been an inaugural AFLW marquee player signing for GWS and later traded to Adelaide where she played in the Crows’ 2019 premiership. 

The experienced midfielder was a development coach for GWS while she recovered from a knee injury in 2017 and for Port Adelaide’s AFLW side in 2022.

Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said Forth would assist midfield coach Courtney Cramey and have a particular focus on Adelaide’s outside midfield players and structures. 

“We are very excited to welcome Renee back to the Club in an official coaching capacity,” Harper said.

“Renee is a terrific person and as a past player herself, has already built some very strong relationships with our players. 

“She will work closely with our wingers and provide extra assistance for the coaches.”

Madgen will take on the forwards coach position vacated by Riley Knight while Strachan will coach the rucks. 

Harper said both Madgen and Strachan would bring valuable on-field experience to the coaching box.

“We were fortunate to have Riley join our coaching ranks last year and while we will miss him around the Club, we thank him for his contribution to our team, he did a great job and was very popular,” Harper said. 

“Jack has worked with our program in the past in a development coordinator role and we are thrilled to have him work with our forwards this year.

“Kieran has been one of the leading ruckmen in the SANFL competition for a long time and his significant on-field experience will be a big asset to our rucks.”  

Marijana Rajcic will return to her role as backline coach after going on maternity leave in the second half of last season.

The other addition to the Club’s coaching panel for next season is the appointment of past Crows AFLW player Hannah Button as a development coach.

“When Hannah was rehabilitating a knee injury last season, she took on an off-field role for us,” Harper said.

“We are really pleased that we can keep her involved in our program and she will take on an important role coaching the scrimmage matches for players not selected in the senior team.”