A contingent of Adelaide’s AFLW squad took to the field for this time in 2025 on Saturday afternoon, as it travelled to Sydney took on the Swans in an unofficial practice match.
12 AFLW listed players featured in the match, as Adelaide fell to the Swans 4.3 (27) to 1.3 (9) across four 16-minute quarters at Tramway Oval.
Here are Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew Clarke’s four key takeaways from the match.
Draftee duo impress
Draftees India Rasheed and Georgia McKee made their first appearance for the Club, and each showed impressive signs across the course of the match.
Rasheed was deployed in a role across half-forward, and moved up on the wing, showcasing her work rate and skills.
McKee lined up in the forward line, with her ability to put pressure on the opposition a stand out of her performance.
“Both of them showed elements of why we were so keen to draft them, which was great,” Clarke said.
“India (Rasheed), worked up and down the ground really well, showed her elite skills on both sides of her body, took some really nice marks and was really adaptable to the multiple roles we are asked to play across the day.
“Georgia McKee brought some really good pressure to our forward line, had a couple of chances that she didn’t quite finish off, but it was good for her to create those opportunities and it was good to see her adapt to the level.”
Recruits show what they’ll bring to Crows’ mix
Adelaide’s coaching staff got a glimpse of trade period additions, Grace Kelly and Hannah Ewing against the Swans.
Kelly - who made the move from St Kilda to unite with sister Niamh at the end of last season - showed she will add another dimension to the Crows’ half-back line, with her speed and skill a feature.
The Irishwoman was also the Crows’ only goal-kicker on the day, as she pushed strongly up the field.
Ewings got some important game time under her belt, as she continues to build through the off-season period after taking a year off footy in 2024.
The clash against the Swans, was her second full match since joining the Crows in December, after she made her return to football in the SANFLW for North Adelaide last weekend.
Clarke said it was pleasing to see the pair get through the match and contribute.
“Being more experienced players, the match for them was about getting them out on the field around a bunch of their new teammates,” Clarke said.
“Chemistry is such a big part of the way we play, so for them to be able to kick a few balls to the girls they will be playing with and get to know the Crows game style it’s invaluable.
“Grace showed her versatility really well throughout the day, she defended hard, got involved up the field and even popped up for a goal, so it was nice to see a bit of what she’ll bring to our team.
“Hannah’s gotten back on the field for the first time in 15 months over these past two weeks, and for her to be able to get through both of those games has been very pleasing.
“She’s worked really hard over the off-season, and it was nice to see her get some reward on the weekend.”
Young leaders get great opportunity
Adelaide’s next generation of leaders got an opportunity to step up in the scratch match against the Swans.
Rachelle Martin captained the side for the first time, while the likes of Sarah Goodwin, Keeley Kustermann, Kiera Mueller and Brooke Tonon were among the squad’s most experienced players.
Clarke said the match served as invaluable experience for the group of young players, as they continue to grow as leaders within the team.
“Part of the rationale of putting this game on was to give girls like Chellie (Rachelle Martin), Goody (Sarah Goodwin), Keeley (Kustermann) Kiz (Kiera Mueller) and Brooke (Tonon) an opportunity to stand up and be leaders within the team,” Clarke said.
“All of them stood up over the course of the game and showed their great leadership capacity moving forward.
“One that did really stand out for me was Goody (Sarah Goodwin), playing in a different role as a midfielder. I thought she was excellent and showed she was able to perform in that new position.”
Scratch match a “very worthwhile” exercise
The significant benefits of being able to play an off-season scratch match against AFLW opposition was not lost on the Crows’ Senior Coach.
Adelaide lobbied hard for the opportunity to play scratch matches against Brisbane and Sydney, as it looked to give its players valuable game time and allow young leaders a chance to step up in greater roles.
Clarke said his team got exactly what it needed out of the contest.
“It was very worthwhile and we got a lot out of it. Our admin team had been working really hard with the team at Sydney to get that game up, and we were really pleased to get the opportunity to play a match,” Clarke said.
“Still being in the off-season period, it was a different challenge for the girls to have a scratch match thrown in the mix, but I thought they handled it really well and showed that physically they are in great shape.
“Being able to get game time in our players at this time of year, and give greater to some of our younger players, is so important and really helps us as we begin preparations for our pre-season.”
The Crows will combine with Brisbane to face the Swans again in their next scratch match, this time in Blacktown on April 26, before a final pre-pre season practice match against Sydney on May 3 in Adelaide.
