Adelaide Crows re-sign eight AFLW premiership players as they eye off back-to-back flags

Adelaide has re-signed eight members of its 2019 AFLW premiership-winning side, headlined by All-Australian midfielder Anne Hatchard.

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Adelaide has re-signed eight members of its 2019 AFLW premiership-winning side.

Headlined by All-Australian midfielder Anne Hatchard, who has signed a two-year contract, the Crows have also inked new deals with winger Deni Varnhagen, forwards Eloise Jones and Chloe Scheer and midfielders Renee Forth, Justine Mules and Hannah Martin.

Irish recruit Ailish Considine has been retained as a rookie.

Their prized signatures come on the back of star co-captain Chelsea Randall publicly declaring she will re-sign with the Crows for next season.

Anne Hatchard (middle) celebrates a Crows goal in the grand final with Hannah Martin (left) and Justine Mules. All three have signed new deals with the club. Picture: MARK BRAKE (Getty Images).

General manager of football administration Phil Harper said the club was thrilled to have retained a core of its premiership side.

“It’s really pleasing that they believe our environment is the best one for them as players and people,” Harper told the club’s website.

“Anne has put in an enormous amount of work and it was pleasing to see that pay off this season. She established herself as a quality midfielder and also accepted the challenge of playing in the ruck when the team needed her.

“Deni, Eloise and Justine also took their games to new levels in 2019. We think their best football is still ahead of them, which is an exciting prospect for our club and our fans.

“Renee, Hannah and Ailish came into our club from different backgrounds, bought into our culture immediately and played important roles in our team success.”

Scheer has put pen to paper despite suffering a serious knee injury in the grand final win against Carlton and undergoing a knee reconstruction.

“It was heartbreaking for Chloe to injure her knee in the grand final but we all saw her potential during the season,’’ Harper said.

“Chloe has maintained a positive mindset and is very determined to complete her rehabilitation with our support and play again when she’s ready.”

The Crows will announce more signings before later in the week.

Their premiership team will be acknowledged by SA Premier Stephen Marshall and Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor at a civic reception at the Adelaide Town Hall on Wednesday night.