Adelaide Crows won’t rush decision on Erin Phillips’ future after knee injury sours AFLW premiership

Adelaide Crows AFLW coach Matthew Clarke has hosed down any early speculation regarding the future of star co-captain Erin Phillips.

Erin Phillips of the Crows poses with her premiership and best-on-ground medals after Sunday’s match. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

• ‘I will never, ever forget that moment’
• Doc’s formula for ‘simple footy’ a big winner
• History at the Oval: 53,000 fans bask in glory
• Ex soccer star now an AFLW premiership player
• How Adelaide just redefined women’s footy

Adelaide Crows AFLW coach Matthew Clarke has hosed down any early speculation regarding the future of star co-captain Erin Phillips.

Phillips and Chloe Scheer both suffered serious knee injuries that soured an amazing day for the Adelaide Football Club, which claimed its second premiership in three years with a dominant 45 point victory over Carlton in front of 53,134 fans at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

“We haven’t had those conversations,’’ Clarke said on SEN radio Monday morning.

“I don’t think it’s the appropriate time. Those two moments left a bit of hollow feeling to the whole event.

Chelsea Randall, Matthew Clarke and Erin Phillips with the Premiership Cup after the 2019 AFLW Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“Chloe has already been through one knee reconstruction and for Erin to have that happen is pretty tough.

“But I would suggest if there is any athlete on the planet who can come back form that, it’s her; she’s amazingly dedicated and will just have to weigh up where she’s at with her family and another kid on the way.

“There is a lot going on in her life, but she does love playing footy, I wouldn’t be surprised if she fights her way back’’ Clarke said.

Clarke said they were awaiting an official report on Phillips’ knee but feared the worst.

Erin Phillips and her father Greg after the AFLW Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and Carlton Blues at the Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“It was a classic ACL movement,’’ Clarke said.

“We’ll deal with it down the track and if anyone can (come back), then she will,’’ he said.

Clarke said while he was expecting a bumper crowd at Adelaide Oval, more than 50,000 fans was an amazing result.

“We didn’t want to overplay our hand,’’ Clarke added.

“I was reasonably confident we’d get around the 30,000 mark. 53,000 was above and beyond it was pretty crazy, they just kept coming.

“It was an outstanding day for the club and sport in SA. The way people in his state get behind their teams and roll up in numbers is amazing,’’ he said.

Despite having played in some great teams and been involved in the Adelaide coaching panel for a long period of time, Clarke said it was nice to finally snag a first premiership.

“I’ve been a part of some amazing teams and it just hasn’t fallen our way

The Crows pose for a photograph with the premiership cup after winning the 2019 AFLW Grand Final between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“To get one was nice.

Clarke said adopting a simple approach to their season was only successful due to his team’s work ethic.

“They’re a great group they thrive on the work,’’ Clarke added.

“It’s well documented they all have got jobs during the day, they come to training and we train them just as hard.

“That usually results in pretty good outcomes.’’