AFLW Grand Final 2022: Erin Phillips future uncertain after Adelaide’s win over Melbourne

Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke has weighed in on Erin Phillips’ future at the club, saying her legacy is assured regardless of whether she’s a Crow next season.

Erin Phillips says she hasn’t made a call on her AFLW future.

Matthew Clarke remains hopeful Erin Phillips will continue to be a key part of the winning dynasty she helped create, but the coach admits he has no idea what the future holds for the veteran superstar.

Clarke hailed the impact of Phillips and skipper Chelsea Randall after the Crows cemented their status as the AFLW’s most successful club, claiming a third premiership with Saturday’s grand final win against Melbourne.

The pair became triple-premiership winners with the tense 4.5 (29) to 2.4 (16) win in front of 16,712 fans at Adelaide Oval.

AFLW GRAND FINAL: LATEST REACTION, NEWS FROM CROWS WIN

With Port Adelaide to enter the competition from next season, speculation has raged about Phillips’ future.

Phillips, who turns 37 in May, has been linked with a move to the club where her dad Greg was an eight-time SANFL premiership player if she decides to continue her decorated career.

But Clarke is happy for the two-time AFLW best and fairest medal winner to soak in celebrations with her teammates following another successful campaign before talking about her plans.

Erin Phillips soaks up Adelaide's win with the Crows cheer squad.

“We’re unbelievably proud of her,” Clarke said.

“In those formative years, Erin and Chelsea drove the culture and the standards and taught the players how to be professional … how to be good.

“So when we talk about cementing the legacy, it’s in large part her legacy and Chelsea’s as well.

“We’re amazingly proud of her and we’ll see what happens over the next little while.”

For her part, Phillips said that helping her team win a third premiership has been her sole focus.

“I haven’t thought about that,” Phillips told the Seven Network when asked about her future in jubilant scenes after the final siren.

“There’s been a lot of noise, a lot of people talking about what’s next. That’s something my wife Tracy and I will sit down and talk about and see what’s next in life.

“There’s more factors than just one simple choice for me.

“We’ll see how we go but right now I’m just so proud to be a Crow.”

Erin Phillips says she hasn’t made a call on her AFLW future.

The expansion of the league to 18 clubs from next season, mooted to start in August, has been met with consternation by some coaches dismayed at the prospect of player poaching raids by the newcomers.

The entry of new teams keen to lure established stars will make it tricky for Clarke to keep his group together, but he welcomes the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to expansion, to be honest,” he said.

“A lot more younger players will get an opportunity to play and for me that’s great.

“We want to keep our team together and we want to keep winning, but I’m also looking forward to having a cross-town rival.

“I think that’s going to add a bit of spice.”

Originally published as AFLW Grand Final 2022: Erin Phillips future uncertain after Adelaide’s win over Melbourne