AFLW’s reigning premiers name a new five-player leadership group to support Crows co-captains Phillips and Randall in 2020
Five premiership-winning Crows have been announced in the team’s new-look AFLW leadership group, which will have an important role during Adelaide’s quest for back-to-back glory.
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Adelaide has broken with its three-year tradition of AFLW vice-captains and will instead head into its 2020 premiership defence with a five-player leadership group to support co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall.
With Randall sidelined for the season as she rehabs a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a return date for Phillips (knee reconstruction) still pending, last year’s joint vice-captains Courtney Cramey and Angela Foley have been voted by their teammates to continue in leadership roles.
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Joining them are ruck Jessica Foley and defenders Marijana Rajcic and Sarah Allan.
Crows AFLW coach Matthew Clarke said the breakdown of votes by the players was particularly unique.
“I have done the same process many times throughout 15 years in football and usually there is a more distinct break between the top vote-getters and the remainder of the team,” he said.
“It’s a real positive that we have five players all nominated closely within a couple of votes of each other, so we’ve decided to go for an expanded group and we’re comfortable with that.
“Four of them are quite experienced and that maturity has been recognised by their peers and will hold them in good stead.
“It’s great to see Sarah Allan also be recognised for her quiet, controlled and calming influence on the group, which we see on game day down back.
“We have a good mix of experience, calm and energy in the five and they will all help support Erin and Chelsea.”
Cramey, 34, said she was excited to see the new faces in the leadership group.
“It’s a privilege to be recognised as a leader among an amazing group of women,” she said.
“We have a number of emerging leaders among our group which will ensure there will be support from all areas of the field and we are really excited for the season ahead.”
Allan said she was honoured to have been chosen by her peers.
“I have put in work over the past few seasons to develop as a player and person to ensure I am leading by example on and off the field for my teammates,” she said.
“The five of us are very diverse and will each bring a good mix of different leadership qualities to the group.”
Adelaide will begin its quest for back-to-back AFLW glory on Saturday, February 8, when it takes on Brisbane in Queensland in round one.
Originally published as AFLW’s reigning premiers name a new five-player leadership group to support Crows co-captains Phillips and Randall in 2020
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