Carlton midfielder Sophie Li joins Crows as Jess Allan and Ruth Wallace are released from their contracts
CHANGES are afoot at West Lakes as the Crows AFLW side farewells two players, but welcomes a new midfielder to its list.
CHANGES are afoot at West Lakes as the Crows AFLW side farewells two players, but welcomes a new midfielder to its list.
Yesterday, Adelaide announced it had made several changes to its AFLW list with ruck Jess Allan and forward Ruth Wallace released from their contracts. As compensation, former Carlton midfielder Sophie Li was added on to it.
Allan — the younger sister of Crows premiership player Sarah Allan — informed the club that she has accepted a position in the Australian Army, which requires her to complete three months of intensive training and doesn’t permit her to play on weekends.
She was selected by the Crows at pick No. 8 in the 2017 AFLW Draft.
Wallace, a former soccer player with Adelaide United who was selected by the Crows at pick No. 38 in the 2017 AFLW Draft, has decided to take time away from the game for personal reasons.
The 25-year-old will be placed on the “inactive” list along with Allan, and Adelaide will have first access to re-list both players should they wish to resume their AFLW careers.
Crows general manager of football administration Phil Harper said the club understood Wallace’s decision to take time away from the game.
“We have been working closely with Ruth in recent months as she navigates some issues in her personal life,” Harper said.
“Her welfare is our chief priority and we will continue to support her as she has a break from football.”
Similarly, Harper said the club was fully supportive of Jess’ choice to pursue her dream of joining the army.
“We wish her all the best with her training,” he said.
“We hope to see both players resume their AFLW careers at the club in the near future.”
Originally from Adelaide, Li will join the Crows list as compensation for the loss of Wallace and Allan.
The 30-year-old is returning home to recommence her career as a paramedic for SA Ambulance. Recognising her work circumstances, Carlton has released Li and will receive a Round 4 draft pick (No. 42) in return.
The Crows will also receive a Round 5 draft pick (No. 53) as compensation.
Li was drafted to Carlton from Norwood’s SANFLW team with pick No. 28 in the 2017 AFLW Draft after being named best on ground in the Redleg’s 2017 Grand Final win over North Adelaide.
At Norwood she finished runner-up in the inaugural (2017) SANFLW Best and Fairest and she has also won a premiership with Adelaide University.
Known for her clean skills and clever play around stoppages, Li played all seven games for Carlton in the 2018 AFLW season.
Harper said Li was a talented midfielder who could also play forward and would make for a welcome addition to the list.
“She is an excellent athlete with great endurance and speed and we can’t wait to see what she adds to our midfield,” he said.
AFLW clubs can sign a total of 30 players for the 2019 season, with lists to be finalised following the draft on October 23.
The Crows currently have picks 8, 30, 37, 41, 48 and 53. Clubs can also sign two rookies for next season but both must be from other sports. Currently, AFLW clubs can only contract players on a season-by-season basis.
The 22 players currently on the Crows 2019 AFLW list are: Sarah Allan, Dayna Cox, Courtney Cramey, Angela Foley, Renee Forth, Anne Hatchard, Jasmyn Hewett, Eloise Jones, Sophie Li, Rheanne Lugg, Ebony Marinoff, Jenna McCormick, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Justine Mules, Sarah Perkins, Erin Phillips, Marijana Rajcic, Chelsea Randall, Sally Riley, Jess Sedunary, Stevie-Lee Thompson and Deni Varnhagen.
