Adelaide bolstered its playing list with athletic and skilful local talent at the NAB AFLW Draft on Tuesday night.

With their first selection, the Crows picked the versatile Zoe Prowse at Pick No. 17 following the Sturt player’s impressive season in which she gained All Australian selection for her efforts in the Under 19 AFLW Championships.

She won the Double Blues’ 2020 best and fairest award and was also a member of the SANFLW’s Team of the Year.

Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper described Prowse, who is a graduate of the Bridgestone Crows Academy, as a strong competitor.

“Zoe is an impressive athlete who is a one-grab player,” Harper said.

“She did some eye-catching things against much bigger and more experienced bodies while training with our squad as a member of the AFLW Academy and continued to do that in the SANFLW competition here in Adelaide.

“We think Zoe can play a variety of roles and we are excited to welcome her into our Club.”

The Crows used Pick No. 20 to claim Glenelg premiership defender Brooke Tonon, who has an elite kick and represented South Australia at the Under 19 AFLW Championships.

“Brooke and her family made a tough decision when they decided she would move away from their home in Mt Gambier to attend boarding school in Adelaide to focus on her football,” Harper said.

“She has made some big sacrifices for a 17-year-old and it paid off with a SANFLW Premiership and a strong individual season.”

Adelaide took West Adelaide’s Abbie Ballard at Pick No. 34 which was the Club’s final selection in this year’s draft.

The midfielder suffered a syndesmosis injury during a pre-season trial game but returned part way through the SANFLW season and she was the Bloods’ stand-in captain in their losing Grand Final.

“Abbie is a natural footballer and is very clean with the ball,” Harper said.

“She travels two hours each way, three times a week to train and play with West Adelaide so we know she loves her footy.

“We can’t wait to see how Abbie develops in an AFLW environment.”

Harper said the Club had finalised a balanced squad, with a good mixture of youth and experience.

“Since the competition started we have appeared in three Grand Finals and won two premierships, and we are focused on being a competitive force in this competition,” he said.

“We feel as though we have talent and versatility on our list to do so and importantly it is underpinned by a strong culture and quality people.”

Crows 2021 NAB AFLW Draftees:

Pick 17 – Zoe Prowse
Pick 20 – Brooke Tonon
Pick 34 – Abbie Ballard