Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew Clarke says the “time was right” for the Club to begin a new era under the guidance of freshly appointed Co-Captains Sarah Allan and Ebony Marinoff. 

The pair was officially announced as Adelaide’s captains on Tuesday morning, taking over from three-time Premiership skipper Chelsea Randall, who stood down from the role at the end of last season.

Allan and Marinoff, both 26, take the reins having been part of the Crows’ AFLW program since its inception in 2017. 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Clarke said it was the right time for the pair to take the next step in their careers and lead the Club forward.

“Last year when Chelsea told me (she was standing down as captain) I said yep that’s about right, and it's a credit to her leadership and Erin as well, that they had brought up an amazing crop of young leaders,” Clarke said. 

“I think it was time (for a change), and these two in particular and many others are ready to take on the mantle and drive us forward into a new era. 

“I’m really comfortable with how it all turned out, and excited to see what’s to come.” 

The process to decide on the Co-Captains was a thorough one, with the decision coming just five weeks from the start of the season.

“The process was basically we put it to the players (to decide),” Clarke said. 

“Everyone has been waiting and watching, but we wanted to leave it a little later in the pre-season, because it would allow everybody to put their best foot forward and push themselves in that leadership space. 

“We put it to a vote and it was very clear that these two (Sarah and Ebony) were the stand out candidates to take us forward.”

As for what made Marinoff and Allan perfect candidates for the role, Clarke highlighted two key traits that would hold them and the Club in good stead moving forward.

“They both share this fierce, competitive drive and have amazing care for the group as a whole,” Clarke said.

“Those are the two standout features that both of them possess and the attributes that will hold them in great stead to taking on the role.

“Either of them would make an outstanding Captain, but what works best for the group is to have both of their attributes come together and have them work as a team.”