2023 AFLW

Games Won 10

Ladder Position 3

Premiership position: 3rd (10 wins, 3 losses). 1st after minor round (9 wins, one loss).

Coach: Matthew Clarke

Captain: Chelsea Randall

Adelaide’s best was outstanding in 2023 before a heart-breaking one-point preliminary final loss ended another promising campaign.

The Crows finished top of the AFLW ladder after losing only one of their ten minor round games but then suffered two narrow losses in three finals to miss the chance to contest for a fourth premiership.

A stunning goal square mark and late goal to Anne Hatchard was not enough for Adelaide to get past North Melbourne in the preliminary final at Ikon Park.

But the Crows made their journey tougher in the first week of the finals series when they suffered a two-point loss to Brisbane at Norwood Oval. They bounced back the next week against Sydney but had lost the right to a home prelim.

Coach Matthew Clarke said it was a frustrating finish considering Adelaide had played significantly better football in 2023 than the previous season.

“This one probably stings a little bit more because I feel as though our best footy could well have been good enough to play in the Grand Final,” he said. “We’re pretty disappointed that in both finals which we’ve lost, we just haven’t quite had the level of intensity that we’ve expected from ourselves from the first minute of the game – we’ll have to live with that one.”

In the off-season, Adelaide lost star forward Ashleigh Woodland and Jasmine Simmons to Port Adelaide but signed Sarah Goodwin, a talented former Crows Academy player who was drafted by Port before its inaugural season in 2022. Two-time premiership players Marijana Rajcic and Dayna Cox retired and another two-title veteran Ailish Considine was picked up by North Melbourne.

Jess Allan returned to the Club after moving back to South Australia and the Crows signed experienced Irish forward Yvonne Bonner, who played with GWS in 2019-20. Inaugural Crow Deni Varnhagen also returned to the active list after having her first child in October 2022 and sitting out the previous season due to the league’s COVID vaccination policy.

During the pre-season three-time All-Australian defender Sarah Allan suffered a serious hamstring injury and Hannah Button tore her anterior cruciate ligament. But Adelaide started in fine style with a 30-point thumping of Port at Norwood Oval. The Crows trailed at half-time but kicked six consecutive goals after the break. Speedster Niamh Kelly (28 disposals, six clearances, one goal) won the Showdown Medal.

Adelaide celebrated captain Chelsea Randall’s 50th game with a 29-point away win against Richmond. Danielle Ponter’s remarkable goal from the centre circle was an early favourite for goal of the year.

The Crows continued to show their strength with a 47-point win over Essendon at Unley Oval followed by a club record score (16.10) in a 69-point win against Greater Western Sydney. Ebony Marinoff collected 40 possessions as the Crows added ten consecutive goals in the second half.

Ponter’s 50th game ended in another strong 32-point win against Gold Coast and the Crows then became the first side to defeat reigning premier Melbourne in 2023, resisting a last-quarter push from the Demons to win by ten points at Casey Fields.

Adelaide won its seventh consecutive game with a seven-goal demolition of the winless Western Bulldogs but lost young gun Abbie Ballard to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The winning run ended the following round when the Crows lost to Brisbane by three points. But Adelaide hit back with a three-point win against North Melbourne and then completed the minor round with a 26-point win over West Coast in sweltering conditions at Mineral Resources Park in Perth. Brisbane’s win over Melbourne later in the day meant the Crows finished top of the ladder.

Brisbane, however, then took their winning form into the first final. Crows forward Eloise Jones produced a career-best performance with four exciting goals but the Lions dominated early and then fought back late in the game to win by two points.

Adelaide, led by Hatchard (36 disposals), ended Sydney’s run with a 67-point semi-final victory under lights at Norwood Oval. But Adelaide had another slow start in the preliminary final. Ponter kicked Adelaide’s first three goals and Hatchard’s late brilliance gave the Crows a chance but North was able to keep the ball at their end for most of the last three minutes.

Marinoff claimed her second Club Champion jacket, building on her amazing record that has included top three finishes in the count in every season since 2017. Three-time winner Hatchard was runner-up, Kelly finished third and leading goalkicker Ponter came fourth.

Four Adelaide players were recognised for their outstanding 2023 AFLW campaigns, earning All-Australian selection. Marinoff, defender Chelsea Biddell and first-timers Kelly and Ponter were named in the final team of 21. It was Marinoff’s sixth AA selection. Hatchard and Caitlin Gould were selected in the initial squad.

Awards and Achievements

All Australians: Chelsea Biddell, Ebony Marinoff, Niamh Kelly, Danielle Ponter

Players’ Player award: Ebony Marinoff

AFC Leading Goalkicker: Danielle Ponter

Defensive Player of Year: Zoe Prowse

Members’ MVP: Ebony Marinoff

Showdown Medal: Niamh Kelly

Other news

Premiership captains Chelsea Randall and Erin Phillips became the first AFLW players to be awarded Adelaide Football Club Life Membership. Crows CEO Tim Silvers said Randall and Phillips’ pioneering contribution to the game was fitting of Life Membership: “Their contributions not only to our Club but to the game have gone well beyond the fence, from their outstanding on-field performances and leadership, to the role they have played in inspiring the next generation of female footballers and in growing the game to what it has become today.”
Two more Crows played their 50^th AFLW games in 2023. Randall and Ponter were the seventh and eighth Adelaide AFLW players to reach the milestone while Marinoff finished the year with the maximum of 79 games from the first eight seasons.
Captain Randall and partner (and AFLW assistant coach) Marijana Rajcic welcomed a baby boy late in the season. Tomi Randall was born on October 27.

List changes

In: Jess Allan (GWS), Sarah Goodwin (Port Adelaide), Yvonne Bonner (Ireland/GWS Giants), Brooke Smith (Dandenong Stingrays), Deni Varnhagen (from inactive list). Rookie: Taylah Levy (South Adelaide).

Out: Ashleigh Woodland (Port Adelaide), Jasmine Simmons (Port Adelaide), Marijana Rajcic, Dayna Cox (retired), Ailish Considine, Jasmyn Hewett.

First game players

Yvonne Bonner, v Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval, 2/9/23 (player debut number 64)

Sarah Goodwin, v Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval, 2/9/23 (65)

Taylah Levy, v Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena (Brisbane), 21/10/23 (66)

Brooke Smith, v West Coast at Mineral Resources Park (Perth), 4/11/23 (67)

Season gallery

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Ebony Marinoff of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Norwood Oval on September 02, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Teah Charlton of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Norwood Oval on September 02, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Yvonne Bonner of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Norwood Oval on September 02, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: The Crows celebrate their win during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Norwood Oval on September 02, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Caitlin Gould of the Crows tries to smother the kick of Amelie Borg of the Power during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Norwood Oval on September 02, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 02: Rachelle Martin of the Crows handpasses the ball over Hannah Ewings of the Power during the 2023 AFLW Round 01 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Port Adelaide Power at Norwood Oval on September 02, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Danilelle Ponter of Adelaide celebrates a goal during the round two AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and Adelaide Crows at Ikon Park, on September 08, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Adelaide players sing the team song after the round two AFLW match between Richmond Tigers and Adelaide Crows at Ikon Park, on September 08, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 16: Anne Hatchard of the Crows takes a selfie with Crows fans after the round three AFLW match between Adelaide Crows and Essendon Bombers at Unley Oval, on September 16, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 23: The Crows celebrate after victory during the round four AFLW match between Greater Western Sydney Giants and Adelaide Crows at Manuka Oval, on September 23, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 01: Cara McCrossan of the Suns tackled by Teah Charlton of the Crows during the round five AFLW match between Adelaide Crows and Gold Coast Suns at Unley Oval, on October 01, 2023, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 07: Anne Hatchard of the Crows celebrates during the 2023 AFLW Round 06 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Casey Fields on October 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 07: Hannah Munyard of the Crows in action during the 2023 AFLW Round 06 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Casey Fields on October 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 07: Zoe Prowse of the Crows and Tayla Harris of the Demons compete for the ball during the 2023 AFLW Round 06 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Casey Fields on October 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 07: Caitlin Gould of the Crows celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2023 AFLW Round 06 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Casey Fields on October 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 07: Chelsea Randall of the Crows celebrates with fans during the 2023 AFLW Round 06 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Casey Fields on October 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 12: Madison Newman of the Crows celebrates a goal with team mates during the 2023 AFLW Round 07 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval on October 12, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 21: Eloise Jones of the Crows takes a mark during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 21, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 21: Niamh Kelly of the Crows gets a handball away during the round eight AFLW match between Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows at Brighton Homes Arena, on October 21, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 29: Jasmine Ferguson of the Kangaroos tackles Chelsea Randall of the Crows during the 2023 AFLW Round 09 match between The Adelaide Crows and The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Norwood Oval on October 29, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 29: Danielle Ponter and Ebony Marinoff of the Crows celebrate a goal during the 2023 AFLW Round 09 match between The Adelaide Crows and The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos at Norwood Oval on October 29, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 04: Yvonne Bonner of the Crows runs towards the goal during the round 10 AFLW match between West Coast Eagles and Adelaide Crows at Mineral Resources Park, on November 04, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 26: Niamh Kelly of the Crows marks the ball during the 2023 AFLW Second Preliminary Final match between The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and The Adelaide Crows at IKON Park on November 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 26: Chelsea Randall of the Crows kicks the ball during the 2023 AFLW Second Preliminary Final match between The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and The Adelaide Crows at IKON Park on November 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 26: Anne Hatchard of the Crows marks the ball during the 2023 AFLW Second Preliminary Final match between The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and The Adelaide Crows at IKON Park on November 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 26: The Crows run onto the field during the 2023 AFLW Second Preliminary Final match between The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos and The Adelaide Crows at IKON Park on November 26, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 11: Sarah Goodwin of the Crows in action during the 2023 AFLW First Qualifying Final match between The Adelaide Crows and The Brisbane Lions at Norwood Oval on November 11, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 11: Niamh Kelly of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW First Qualifying Final match between The Adelaide Crows and The Brisbane Lions at Norwood Oval on November 11, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 18: Cynthia Hamilton of the Swans competes with Sarah Allan of the Crows during the 2023 AFLW First Semi Final match between The Adelaide Crows and The Sydney Swans at Norwood Oval on November 18, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 18: Jessica Waterhouse of the Crows celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW First Semi Final match between The Adelaide Crows and The Sydney Swans at Norwood Oval on November 18, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos)

The 2023 squad

Back row (from left): Yvonne Bonner (31), Danielle Ponter (15), Lisa Whitely (22), McKenzie Dowrick (24), Brooke Smith (18), Niamh Kelly (23), Teah Charlton (25), Sarah Goodwin (11). Second row: Najwa Allen (8), Amber Ward (3), Chelsea Biddell (12), Jessica Allan (32), Caitlin Gould (1), Zoe Prowse (4), Deni Varnhagen (9). Sitting: Brooke Tonon (28), Stevie-Lee Thompson (14), Ebony Marinoff (10), Chelsea Randall (26, captain), Matthew Clarke (coach), Sarah Allan (39), Eloise Jones (2), Madison Newman (17), Keeley Kustermann (7). Front: Jess Waterhouse (19), Hannah Munyard (20), Hannah Button (6), Kiera Mueller (13), Taylah Levy (16), Abbie Ballard (27), Rachelle Martin (5).

2023 jumpers

The main AFLW guernsey was changed in 2023 to closer resemble the design of the Club’s original jumper first worn in 1991. Navy blue replaced red as the main colour on the front of the jumper and the hoops were thinner and in the same order as the men’s guernsey. It was worn for the first time in the round one Showdown. The club also introduced a new clash version, with a gold base, used in rounds two and six. The 2023 Indigenous guernsey design – worn by all three of Adelaide’s teams – was designed by the aunt of AFLW premiership player Danielle Ponter. It was worn in rounds seven and eight. The 2023 Pride Round (round ten) guernsey, designed in conjunction with Adelaide’s AFLW players, is an adaptation of the Club’s original rainbow Pride design with the addition of the colours of the Progressive Pride Flag.

Anne Hatchard models the new main guernsey; Rachelle Martin and Caitlin Gould; The new clash guernsey (Danielle Ponter); Ponter in the new Indigenous design; Eloise Jones in the Pride Round jumper.