Cross-code star Jenna McCormick will make a shock AFLW appearance for the Crows at Norwood Oval on Saturday night

W-League club Brisbane Roar and AFLW club Adelaide have come to a compromise to give Jenna McCormick the best of both worlds as she is set to appear for the Crows on Saturday night.

Brisbane Roar’s Jenna McCormick in control in a W-League clash at Lions Stadium in Brisbane this month. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

Football clubs 1600km apart have united, allowing cross-code star Jenna McCormick a shock AFLW season debut with the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night.

McCormick was on Thursday named in the Crows opening round squad to face Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval but the talented soccer defender still has her dream of making the Matildas squad atop of her dreams.

Her return to the Crows could be short term if she is called into the Matildas pre 2019 women’s FIFA World Cup tournament — the Australian Cup of Nations squad which will be named later this month.

Adelaide Crows player Jenna McCormick. Picture: Getty Images

Attracting attention from Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, before he was sacked without a clear explanation by Football Federation Australia almost a fortnight ago, convinced her to stick to soccer and Roar initially.

Now W-League club Brisbane Roar has agreed to release McCormick, 24, from the final round of the season against her former club Adelaide United at Marden Sports Complex.

“My mindset hasn’t changed I still want to make in the sport of soccer,’’ McCormick said after she had been training with the Crows since Tuesday.

“Representing your country always comes first for me.

“The Crows know that as well and if I do get that opportunity I have said I’d be taking that (Matildas chance) with full dedication that is the whole end goal.

“I know they’d (Crows) be understanding on that they can’t offer international games yet.

“When I did discuss with the Crows that I did want to stay for soccer, one of the negotiations I guess was if our team (Roar) was in the finals before the regular end of the season then I would make myself available for the Crows, come back and train and get a bit of footy in.

“I want to make the Crows happy as much as I can because they have bent over for me quite a lot.

“But I want to push as much as I can with soccer.”

Roar plays for the W-League premiership against Adelaide United on Friday night.

A win won’t necessarily do the trick — Roar has to rely on table topping Victory dropping crucial points in its final two matches to hand Brisbane a second premiership.

Roar cannot be ousted from the top four.

“I know Roar will put in a strong performance (against Adelaide) and help our case with a top two finish,’’ McCormick said.

“I’m just working with both teams and I don’t want people to think I have changed my mind again, it was just part of what I had to sacrifice.”

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Originally published as Cross-code star Jenna McCormick will make a shock AFLW appearance for the Crows at Norwood Oval on Saturday night