Adelaide AFLW utility Brooke Tonon says a tactical move from Senior Coach Matthew Clarke helped the Crows secure a third-straight Showdown win.

The Crows opened their 2024 campaign with a Showdown against Port Adelaide in front of a hostile crowd at Alberton Oval on Saturday night.

And the margin turned out to be the closest of the three games the crosstown rivals have played against each other.

Adelaide led by eight points at half-time and 10 at the final change, before holding on to claim a 14-point victory.

Speaking to the media on Monday morning, Tonon said a decision to switch teammate Chelsea Biddell from the forward line to defence helped the Crows take control in the final term.

“We went back to our starting structure a bit (in that last quarter),” Tonon said.

“Bids (Chelsea Biddell) moved back into the backline because we needed that aerial presence with them having the wind.

“We’ve (also) been practising scenario based situations and that probably came in handy in the end when it was a tight scoreline.”

The match was extra special for Tonon, who booted her first AFLW goal in Saturday night’s Showdown.

It was also the first major of the game.

“I didn’t expect to get the first goal of the game but it was very cool,” Tonon said.

“I was practising shots beforehand and the wind was a bit strong but I managed to slot that one in and get the first goal, which was nice.

“It (the crowd) was very loud. You don’t pick up too much when you’re on the field but it was crazy loud and everyone was up and about.

“Obviously Port had the numbers there and there were some Crows fans but it was good to have a great atmosphere and have heaps of people turn up for women’s footy.”

The 20-year-old has played 18 games since being selected at the 2021 AFLW Draft and says working hard on fitness and strength will be the key to consistency this year.

“In my first year that I came in, I was a lot smaller and I wasn’t very developed as a footballer, compared to my counterparts in the AFLW,” Tonon said.

“I have just been working on size and fitness and strength - they were probably the main takeaways from that first season.

“Four seasons in and I’m building on that this year.”

The Crows will now turn their attention to their Round Two match against Fremantle in Perth this Sunday afternoon.

The Dockers are coming off a 43-point win over Essendon and Tonon said the Crows would need to be at the top of their game to beat them.

“We started off the season with a win, which is what we always want,” Tonon said.

“We have a few areas to improve on but that will come, we’ll work on them this week.

“It should be a tough game (against Fremantle), they’re looking good this season after Round One.

“They (Freo) have some good forwards, a lot of good goal kickers, so I think our defence is going to have to stand up this week, and the midfield battle will be hot.”