The Crows have secured the first two players for their foundation AFL women’s squad.

West Australian stars Kellie Gibson and Chelsea Randall will play for the Adelaide-NT side in the first season of the new national competition, after being named among the 16 ‘marquee’ players allocated to the eight women’s teams by the AFL.

Gibson, a 20-year-old forward-midfielder who has represented Australia at junior level in Rugby Sevens, moved to South Australia earlier this year to work for the SANFL and is playing with Morphettville Park in the SAWFL.

Randall, 25, hails from Swan Districts, the same WA club as Gibson. The former WA captain is a three-time All Australian forward with a reputation for taking towering marks.

Crows Head of Football David Noble said it was an exciting day for the Club.

“Both Kellie and Chelsea rate among the most admired female footballers in Australia and we’re thrilled to have them at the Crows,” Noble said.

“Chelsea is a hard hitting, athletic and versatile player who can take a high mark and has exceptional skills.

“Kellie is a quick outside runner who is tough, physical and can read the play well.

“Importantly, both have great leadership qualities on and off the field.

“Our goal is to make the Crows the club of choice for women and girls, whether as participants, administrators or fans, and we are rapt to have Kellie and Chelsea as part of our inaugural women’s squad.”

Adelaide’s joint submission with AFLNT to field a women’s team in the new AFL national competition was approved in June.

The marquee players were unveiled simultaneously across the country on Wednesday.

Renee Forth and Emma Swanson have joined Greater Western Sydney. The Brisbane Lions secured Tayla Harris and Sabrina Frederick-Taub, while Brianna Davey and Darcy Vescio will wear the Navy Blue of Carlton. Collingwood have signed Moana Hope and Emma King, and Kara Donnellan and Kiara Bowers are now Fremantle Dockers.

As expected Daisy Pearce remains with Melbourne along with Melissa Hickey. Kate Brennan and Ellie Blackburn, who will represent the Western Bulldogs, rounded out the marquee signings.

An experienced panel, including Noble and high performance expert Jane Woodlands-Thompson, is currently conducting a search for a Senior Coach and a detailed analysis of talent is also well underway.

The competition will run across February and March next year.