Crows forward Ruth Wallace will become the Club’s first Indigenous female player to wear number 18, following a long list of Indigenous male players.
After a year off from football in 2019, Wallace has returned to the Crows list for the 2020 season, swapping her guernsey number from 15 to 18.
Speaking to AFC Media, Wallace said she was excited about starting the season with a new number.
“It’s a privilege and an honour to wear a number that past players who have been Aboriginal,” Wallace said.
“There’s been a lot of Indigenous players that have worn number 18, obviously Eddie Betts, Graham Johncock and Troy Bond as well, so it is a privilege to have that number.
“Being Aboriginal myself, and Eddie is a role model of mine and I worked a bit with Troy Bond, running healthy lifestyle programs to tackle Indigenous smoking, so it is awesome.”
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The 26-year-old can’t wait to get back amongst the group and has some clear goals in mind.
“I’ve been training with a few of the girls in the last could of months, but I’m just happy to be back at the Club,” Wallace said.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the new bunch of girls that are coming through.
“With all the girls having big highs from winning the premiership last season, it’s going to be pretty exciting to get around all those feels and good vibes.
“Having the year off, I just want to make sure I keep my health mentally and physically right and hopefully everything can fall into place after that.”
Adelaide’s eight draftees have also been given numbers for the 2020 season.
Utility Caitlin Gould will wear number one, which was the same number she wore while representing South Australia in volleyball.
Defender Madison Newman has chosen number 17, the same number her Dad, Steve, wore throughout his 300-game football career at Morphett Vale.
Number 21 was chosen by ruck Montana McKinnon, while defender Nicole Campbell picked number 20.
Veteran Courtney Gum will wear number five, midfielder Jaimi Tabb will don the number 28, number eight will be worn by midfielder Najwa Allen and forward Chelsea Biddell will have number 12 on her back.
New Crows numbers
1 – Caitlin Gould
5 – Courtney Gum
8 – Najwa Allen
12 – Chelsea Biddell
17 – Madison Newman
18 – Ruth Wallace
20 – Nicole Campbell
21 – Montana McKinnon
28 – Jaimi Tabb
