Adelaide Crows’ AFLW premiership defence cruelled early by coronavirus, players’ end of season plans in limbo

Not only has Adelaide’s AFLW premiership defence been prematurely ended, but the players’ end of season plan to give back to bushfire-affected communities is also up in the air.

Marijana Rajcic says the Crows have to accept the decision to scrap the final two home and away rounds of the AFLW season and proceed straight to finals. Picture: (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

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Once their season was over, Adelaide’s AFLW players were planning on holding an end of year trip to Kangaroo Island to help the community recover from the recent devastating bushfires.

But now, not only has their premiership defence been ended early, the Crows are unsure if they can carry out their goodwill plan as many of them prepare to enter “regular life” amid a coronavirus pandemic.

In an attempt to finish the 2020 season, the AFLW will immediately start its finals series this weekend – featuring the top four teams from each conference.

The Crows’ sixth place standing in Conference A means their season is finished, but had they defeated GWS on Sunday at an empty Richmond Oval they would have snuck into finals action.

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Marijana Rajcic in action against GWS. Had the Crows won the game, they would be playing finals. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Utility Marijana Rajcic told The Advertiser the players had to accept the decision.

“It is obviously disappointing ... but this is definitely something bigger than us,” she said.

“We have to do what is right for those who are at risk and the AFL has to make a decision.

“I was at home (when the decision came through) and got the email from the AFLPA (AFL Players Association).

“We had our phone conference on (Monday night) and we were aware what the AFLPA was pushing for.

“We can look at that (if they beat the Giants they would be in finals) but even if we look at that one we had opportunities in other games and we didn’t get the job done.

“We probably let ourselves down a little bit.”

Crows players had already essentially been locked out of West Lakes as the club seeks to limit any potential infection of its men’s programs – training at Thebarton Oval on Tuesday night as part of their now futile preparation for this weekend.

Rajcic said some players met on Wednesday night, but as for any end of season celebrations they were up in the air.

Adelaide’s season has been ended early due to the coronavirus threat. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“As a playing group we were planning on doing our end of season trip to Kangaroo Island so we can give back and help them (the locals) out after everything they have been through, but now we aren’t sure if we can go there.

“We will probably do something on Saturday night.”

There is also the question of what impact big pending losses at clubs, set to be from $8 million to $15 million, will have on their women’s programs.

“I know our pay won’t change, that is locked in, but after that who knows,” Rajcic said.

“Moving forward it is largely unknown, Adelaide Football Club is no different to others and they will have to look at cost structures and potential savings.”

When contacted by The Advertiser, the club said it was too early to say what impact, if any, the coronavirus would have on its women’s program.

The 31-year-old has been working at the club outside of footy, but after her contract ends on Friday she will have to return to teaching.

“That will be on a relief basis,” she said.

“At the moment schools aren’t shutting down.”

Originally published as Adelaide Crows’ AFLW premiership defence cruelled early by coronavirus, players’ end of season plans in limbo