The Crows AFL Women’s team has been presented with custom-made premiership rings, as well as the Key to the City, at a special reception held at the Adelaide Town Hall on Friday night.
As part of the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Competition, the AFL and Musson Jewellers partnered to produce a special ring, which was limited to only 23 pieces for the 22 premiership players and coach.
The ring features a replica of the distinctive NAB AFL Women’s ‘W’ logo in 18ct white gold, with each shoulder of the ring featuring eight white diamonds. The premiership year is engraved below with an additional diamond.
The nine Crows women’s players based in the Northern Territory travelled to Adelaide for the special event, which was attended by 25 of the 27 players in the inaugural squad.
Only co-captain Erin Phillips, who has returned to the United States where she plays basketball in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings, and forward Kellie Gibson, who is also overseas, were not in attendance. Phillips and Gibson will receive their rings at a later date.
Minister for Recreation and Sport, the Hon Leon Bignell MP, and AFL General Manager Football Operations Simon Lethlean presented the special commemorative rings to the 22 premiership players and coach Bec Goddard.
Lethlean said the ring is the perfect symbolic token to celebrate the achievements of the Crows team.
“We are thrilled with the partnership between Musson and the AFL to create such a commemorative item of jewellery for our pioneering women players,” Mr Lethlean said.
“The Musson bespoke ring is a unique keepsake that will ensure the memory of a premiership lives on.”
Following the ring presentation, the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide Martin Haese presented Goddard and co-captain Chelsea Randall with the Key to the City.
Only around 30 people or teams have received the Key to the City of Adelaide, including the Crows men’s team after the Club’s inaugural AFL premiership in 1997.
Randall said it was a special moment for her side.
“It’s an incredible honour to receive the keys to the city,” she said.
“It’s the highest honour the Adelaide City Council can give to an individual or an organisation.
“For the Crows Women’s team, in our first-ever season, to be recognised in such a way is humbling.”
The premiership-winning Crows were rapt with the premiership rings, which were presented in addition to the medallions the players received on Grand Final Day.
Randall said Friday night’s event brought back fond memories of the team’s ultimate success last month.
“It’s a great opportunity to have my sisters by my side again,” she said.
“To go home with a bit of ‘bling bling’ tonight is just like Grand Final Day again.
“As well as the shiny cup, we get a shiny ring to go home with. I’m absolutely stoked.”
As part of the reception, the five players who did not play in the AFLW Grand Final were also presented with a small gift to recognise their outstanding contribution to the Adelaide Football Club this season.
Goddard also received her trophy as the 2017 AFLW All Australian coach.
The premiership rings ready to be presented on Friday night
