It took three years, but Crows AFLW senior coach Matthew Clarke has finally won a Round One match after Adelaide’s 38-point victory over West Coast on Saturday.

In Clarke’s first season in charge in 2019, Adelaide kicked one goal and 11 points to fall short to the Bulldogs by one point, before losing to Brisbane by 13 points in the 2020 season opener.

But the ‘curse’ was well and truly broken in 2021 with a dominant victory against the Eagles, something that made Clarke smile post-game.

“I’ve been coaching for three seasons and this is the first year we’ve won Round One, so I’m particularly pleased,” Clarke said.

“Every season is different and the group changes, the dynamic changes and it does take time to get that cohesion, so to have a good win first up is really pleasing.”

And that wasn’t the only pleasing aspect of the game for Clarke.

The return of Chelsea Randall and Hannah Button, the performances of two younger players and Ebony Marinoff’s composure after a tough week were all highlights.

“Chels came back and had some really nice moments, it was Hannah’s first game for nearly two years and she contributed really strongly,” Clarke said.

“Nikki Gore down back early in the game saved us a couple of times and later in the game was providing some run.

“I loved Ash’s (Woodland) game, she’s one that’s been in the system, came out and played really good SANFL football last year, and has worked just so hard over the offseason to get herself really fit and ready to play.

“Ebony’s been super impressive throughout the whole process, her ability to stay calm and get ready to play that game if she was available was really good and the performance she put in warranted the preparation.”

The Crows fly back to Adelaide on Sunday and will start their preparation for their first home match of the season – Pride Round against Fremantle on Sunday, February 7.

Tickets for the game go on sale on Monday, February 1, with members pre-sale at 9am and the general public at 11am.