2019 AFLW

Games Won 8

Ladder Position 1

Premiership position: 1st (8 wins, 1 loss).

Coach: Matthew Clarke

Captains: Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall

Adelaide soared to its second AFLW premiership in three years in front of 53,034 fans at Adelaide Oval in 2019.

After a one-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in round one, the Crows produced an eight-game winning streak under first-year coach Matthew Clarke to secure the title.

It was a new look AFLW competition in 2019. Geelong and North Melbourne joined the league and the increase from eight teams to ten teams led to the introduction of a two-conference system. There were seven minor rounds but the two highest placed teams from each conference then qualified for crossover preliminary finals.

Adelaide also experienced some change, on and off the field.

Clarke, Adelaide’s AFL ruck coach for a decade after a distinguished 258-game playing career at Brisbane and the Crows, replaced 2017 premiership coach Bec Goddard, who returned to Canberra for work.

There were also ten new players in the AFLW squad. The Crows traded for former Giant Renee Forth and ex-Blue Sophie Li, and signed Gaelic footballer Ailish Considine and SA netballer Maisie Nankivell as rookies.

Adelaide then drafted promising young South Australians Nikki Gore, Chloe Scheer and Katelyn Rosenzweig , SANFLW best and fairest Hannah Martin, Northern Territory teenager Danielle Ponter, plus former Australian basketballer Jessica Foley.

Foley proved a timely selection as the Crows lost number one ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe to a season-ending knee injury sustained in a practice match against Fremantle.

Premiership Crows Talia Radan, Georgia Bevan, Rachael Killian and Abbey Holmes departed at the end of the 2018 season.

Adelaide kicked 1.11 in the opening round of the season to go down to the 2018 premiers, Western Bulldogs, by one point. Seven players made their AFLW debut for the Crows in this game.

The Crows bounced back in round two against Carlton, coming from behind to beat the Blues by 13 points at Princes Park after Stevie-Lee Thompson kicked four goals.

Midfielder Ebony Marinoff set an AFLW record in round three by collecting 33 disposals in Adelaide’s 29-point win over Geelong at Norwood Oval.

Adelaide claimed an emphatic 42-point victory over Fremantle in Darwin the following week and the pressure was on for Adelaide’s round five clash with North Melbourne, the undefeated Roos entering the critical match-up as favourites. However, the Crows moved to the top of Conference A with a 35-point win.

Adelaide won its fifth consecutive match in round six, defeating Greater Western Sydney by 32 points at Unley Oval. The Crows then made a statement with their last minor round game, dominating Melbourne by ten goals at Casey Fields to secure a home preliminary final.

Playing on Adelaide Oval for the first time, the AFLW Crows then smashed Geelong by 66 points to earn their place in the grand final.

Carlton booted the opening goal of the decider at Adelaide Oval on March 31 but it was a rare highlight for the Blues, with the Crows kicking the next nine goals to have the match under control by half-time. Adelaide eventually won by 45 points but it was a bittersweet victory, after best on ground medal winner Erin Phillips and young forward Chloe Scheer both suffered serious knee injuries.

>> More 2019 Premiership photos, video

Clarke said: “To the 53,000. Oh, my goodness. Unbelievable.

“The way our club has embraced this team, is one of the proudest things that I feel about our footy club. It’s been amazing. And today was beyond everyone’s expectations.”

Phillips swept the awards for a second time, collecting her second AFLW Best and Fairest medal, her second Club Champion award, her second Grand Final best on ground award and her second AFLW Players’ Association MVP award. Incredibly, Phillips polled 19 out of a possible 21 votes in the AFLW Best and Fairest count.

Additionally, Phillips was awarded the AFLW Coaches Association’s Player of the Year and was named captain of the All-Australian team.

Four other Crows made the All-Australian team. Chelsea Randall was named vice-captain in her third consecutive selection, and was joined by Marinoff, Thompson and Anne Hatchard.

Thompson moved from defence into the forward lines in the 2019 season and finished as the AFLW’s leading goalkicker, with 13 majors in the minor rounds, and Hatchard had a break-out season as a midfielder.

First year Crow Jessica Foley was runner-up to Phillips in the Club Champion votes after thriving in the ruck.

Season gallery

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 24:Erin Phillips of the Adelaide Crows during the AFLW Preliminary Final match between the Adelaide Crows and thew Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 24, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 03: Anne Hatchard of the Crows runs with the ball during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 05 match between the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and the Adelaide Crows at Chirnside Park on March 03, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 24: Ebony Marinoff of the Adelaide Crows celebrates a goal during the AFLW Preliminary Final match between the Adelaide Crows and thew Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 24, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 30: Crows players pose for a selfie during the Adelaide Crows AFLW 2019 official team photo day at AAMI Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 24: Eloise Jones of the Adelaide Crows celebrates a goal during the AFLW Preliminary Final match between the Adelaide Crows and thew Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 24, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 24: Chelsea Randall of the Crows flies for a mark over Richelle Cranston of the Cats during the 2019 NAB AFLW Second Preliminary Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on March 24, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 10: Anne Hatchard of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 06 match between the Adelaide Crows and the GWS Giants at Unley Oval on March 10, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 10: Sarah Allan of the Crows is tackled by Cora Staunton of the Giants during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 06 match between the Adelaide Crows and the GWS Giants at Unley Oval on March 10, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Sophie Li (left) and Ailish Considine of the Crows celebrate during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 07 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Casey Fields on March 16, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 10: Nikki Gore of the Crows celebrates with fans during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 06 match between the Adelaide Crows and the GWS Giants at Unley Oval on March 10, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 17: Deni Varnhagen of the Crows celebrates a goal with team mates Eloise Jones, Sally Riley, Renee Forth and Chelsea Randall during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 03 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Norwood Oval on February 17, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 17: Angela Foley of the Crows pressured by Danielle Orr of the Cats during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 03 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Norwood Oval on February 17, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 23: Jessica Foley of the Crows and Gemma Houghton of the Dockers compete in the ruck during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at TIO Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Felicity Elliott/AFL Media)

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 23: The Crows run onto the ground during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at TIO Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 23: A general view during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 04 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at TIO Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 02: Chloe Scheer of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval on February 02, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Stevie-Lee Thompson of the Crows (right) celebrates a goal with Justine Mules of the Crows during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 02 match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Ikon Park on February 10, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 10: Crows players sing the team song during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 02 match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Ikon Park on February 10, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 17: Erin Phillips of the Crows during the 2019 NAB AFLW Round 03 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Norwood Oval on February 17, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Media)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: (L-R) Chelsea Randall, Matthew Clarke, Senior Coach of the Crows and Erin Phillips pose for a photograph with the Premiership Cup during the 2019 AFLW Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on March 31, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: Erin Phillips of the Crows celebrates winning the Best and Fairest award during the 2019 W Awards at Peninsula on April 02, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Awards and Achievements

All Australians: Erin Phillips (captain), Chelsea Randall, Ebony Marinoff, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Anne Hatchard.

Players’ Player Award: Erin Phillips

Leading goalkickers: Stevie-Lee Thompson

Best Defensive Player: Deni Varnhagen

AFLW Best and Fairest: Erin Phillips

AFLW Leading Goalkicker: Stevie-Lee Thompson

AFLW Players Association Most Valuable Player: Erin Phillips

AFLW Coaches Association Champion Player of Year: Erin Phillips

AFLW Players’ Association Most Courageous award: Chelsea Randall

Other news

At the end of 2019, Erin Phillips was crowned SA’s Sport Star of the Year and Adelaide’s AFLW team was named Team of the Year.
Inaugural Crow and 2017 premiership player Abbey Holmes competed in the 2019 series of Australian Survivor, and finished fifth.

List changes

In: Renee Forth (Greater Western Sydney), Sophie Li (Norwood/Carlton), Nikki Gore (Christies Beach/South Adelaide), Jessica Foley (Sturt), Chloe Scheer (Modbury/North Adelaide), Katelyn Rosenzweig (Salisbury/North Adelaide), Danielle Ponter (St Mary’s NT), Hannah Martin (West Adelaide). Rookies: Ailish Considine (County Clare, Ireland), Maisie Nankivell (netball)

Out: Talia Radan, Georgia Bevan, Rachael Killian, Abbey Holmes, Sophie Armitstead, Calista Boyd, Brianna Walling, Beechara Palmer, Ruth Wallace (inactive list), Jess Allan (inactive list)

First game players

Ailish Considine, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (debut order 32)

Jessica Foley, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (33)

Renee Forth, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (34)

Sophie Li, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (35)

Hannah Martin, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (36)

Maisie Nankivell, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (37)

Chloe Scheer, v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 2/2/2019 (38)

Danielle Ponter, v Carlton at Princes Park, 10/2/19 (39)

Nikki Gore, v Melbourne at Casey Fields, 16/3/19 (40)

The 2019 squad

Back row (from left): Sophie Li (19), Eloise Jones (2), Stevie-Lee Thompson (14), Jess Sedunary (17), Sally Riley (8), Marijana Rajcic (32), Deni Varnhagen (9), Danielle Ponter (15), Katelyn Rosenzweig (1). Middle: Nikki Gore (7), Renee Forth (27), Rheanne Lugg (45), Sarah Allan (39), Jessica Foley (24), Rhiannon Metcalfe (11), Jasmyn Hewett (20), Maisie Nankivell (16), Anne Hatchard (33), Ailish Considine (16), Hannah Martin (6). Front: Courtney Cramey (22), Dayna Cox (31), Sarah Perkins (28), Ebony Marinoff (10), Erin Phillips (13), Matthew Clarke (coach), Chelsea Randall (26), Jenna McCormick (5), Ange Foley (3), Chloe Scheer (4), Justine Mules (23).

2019 jumpers

Adelaide made slight changes to its home uniform for the 2019 season, with a bigger red panel on the chest and hoops of similar size, although the blue band remained slightly thicker than the gold and red. A thin white outline returned to the numbers but the large AFLW logo disappeared from the back. Gold trim was added to the blue shorts. There were changes to the colours on the front logo of the Indigenous jumper. The Crows wore the home guernsey in the 2019 AFLW grand final at Adelaide Oval.

Angela Foley and Rhianna Metcalfe wearing the 2019 jumper; Chelsea Randall and Sophie Li (indigenous/away guernsey); Eloise Jones during the 2019 AFLW grand final.