Adelaide’s AFLW side played its first hit-out ahead of the 2024 season starting with an internal trial at the Club’s West Lakes training headquarters on Friday morning.

The match was played across three, 20-minutes periods, with players being switched between two squads - a yellow team and a blue team - at different periods of the game.

Four development players also lined up in the match.

Here are the five takeaways from the internal trial.

All-Australian defender Chelsea Biddell continues form into 2024

Adelaide Premiership defender Chelsea Biddell was a pillar in defence for the Crows in 2023, averaging 15.3 disposals at 77.1 per cent efficiency and 6.9 intercept possessions.

That form helped Biddell be named in the All-Australian team at the end of last season - her second, consecutive selection.

In the internal trial, Biddell picked up from where she left off last season, staring across half-back.

“Chelsea Biddell was very strong in defence,” Crows AFLW Senior Coach Mattjew Clarke said.

“She provided a lot in terms of her aerial presence, she’s been working really hard on that and it showed through during the match sim.”

Eloise Jones leads from the front in the forward line

Two-time Premiership star and Leadership group member Eloise Jones transitioned from the wing to the forward line last season and continued with that switch during Friday’s internal.

Jones provided a target inside-50 and took strong marks, while capitalising on her opportunities in front of goal.

Clarke was impressed with Jones’ ability to create space and work her way to the front of contests.

“Eloise was really good as a mobile forward,” Clarke said.

“Her movement was really strong and she provided a really strong threat.”

Ruck-midfield connection building

Adelaide has taken a focus on building a strong ruck-midfield connection this pre-season and it was on show during the internal trial

Newly appointed Co-Captain Ebony Marinoff, together with Leadership group members Anne Hatchard and Jess Allan led the way.

“All of our midfielders and rucks have been working on their connection and this was our first opportunity to see it in a close to match situation,” Clarke said.

“There were really good signs of that today, with some nice ruck-mid connection through the centre.

“Jess Allan worked well in the ruck and had some really nice moments with Ebony and Anne in the midfield.”

New players show promise

Adelaide selected three players at the 2023 AFLW Draft in December, with Brooke Boileau (South Adelaide), Tamara Henry (Western Jets/Vic Metro) and Lily Tarlinton (Bond University/Queensland) joining the Club.

The Crows also added talented Gaelic player Amy-Boyle Carr, signing her as a rookie and the Irish star only arrived at West Lakes two weeks ago.

All four players showed plenty of promise in their first competitive hit-out for the Club, impressing the Senior Coach.

“All of our new players had moments and demonstrated they’re going to be able to play at the level,” Clarke said.

“Amy Boyle-Carr also played her first 55 minutes of match sim and she took a nice intercept mark, made a couple of nice handball decisions.

“Given she’s only been training for a week-and-a-half, she should be feeling really happy with how she performed.”

Clarke lauds development players 

Adelaide called on four development players to take to the field for the internal trial, ensuring an even number of players on each side.

All four were from SANFL Clubs, with Mel Anderson (South Adelaide), Alisha Gepp (Sturt), Christina Leuzzi (Woodville-West Torrens) and Jess Bates (Glenelg) lining up in the match.

Clarke said the Club was grateful for the quartet’s support.

“Shout out to all our development players who took time out from work and their commitments to allow us to play a close to full-numbers game,” Clarke said.

“We really appreciate it and they did really well.”

Adelaide continues its preparation for its 2024 campaign with a match simulation training game against Port Adelaide at Central Oval, Port Augusta, on Sunday, August 11.

The Crows then take on Carlton in an official practice match at Unley Oval on Sunday, August 18 at 1pm.

Their 2024 season gets underway with a Showdown against the Power at Alberton Oval on Saturday, August 31, at 7.15pm.