AFC 2022 Yearbook

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY

The Adelaide Football Club acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their ongoing connection to land and waters. We pay our respects to them, their diverse cultures and elders that were, are, and will be.

CHAIRMAN

HON JOHN OLSEN AO

Winning finals will always be our priority and it is what motivates and drives all of us. The Adelaide Football Club also stands for much more than that and it is a force for good in the community for which we should all be proud.

On the field, we played an unprecedented 68 games this year, encompassing two AFLW seasons, as well as AFL and SANFL competitions.

AFLW LEADERS

Our women’s program is the benchmark of the League. To win a premiership in Season Six and follow it up with a preliminary final appearance several months later is a credit to all involved.

The standard of the AFLW competition continues to improve and our recruiting and list management team’s astute talent identification, coupled with a strong culture that is crucial to

player retention, has us well placed to be a finals contender for years to come. We have 21 players aged 25 years and under and their best footy is ahead of them.

Well led by Matthew Clarke, our coaches, players and support staff have set high standards and expectations, and we now have three flags from four grand finals in six years. We can always count on them to overcome the many challenges that arise, and their qualities and attributes personify what makes a good team.

EMERGING MEN’S TEAM

We are all determined to achieve on-field success with our AFL

team as well. It is hard not to get impatient at times but there is much to be optimistic about in what is a tough and unforgiving competition. We have the right blend of talent, experience and work ethic, to match our ambition.

We beat finalists Richmond and Western Bulldogs this year and Matthew Nicks is right to say our best is good enough. Matthew and the coaching group have created an environment where players like Darcy Fogarty, Sam Berry, Shane McAdam, Jake Soligo, and Josh Rachele have taken their game to another level.

We also have a world-class highperformance team and our squad is now fitter and more match hardened.

Our quest to be a destination club is becoming a reality, with the recent signing of Izak Rankine following the arrival of Jordan Dawson a year ago.

Interestingly, we have also welcomed and engaged with personnel from the Boston Celtics, Manchester United, Cricket NSW, Philadelphia Phillies, Liverpool FC, our national rugby union team the Wallabies and Tokyo Giants.

SANFL SUCCESS

We had our most successful SANFL season winning 13 games and playing in a preliminary final. Mick Godden and his team on and off the field deserve high praise and particularly Mick, who was named AFL development coach of the year.

History shows sustained success comes from strong state league teams, and Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond, which have had premiership eras, are prime examples.

OFF-FIELD STRENGTH

We are very fortunate to have a staunch list of corporate and hospitality partners and we take pride in the long-standing association many of them have with our Club. In the past year we have seen Foodland, Thomas Farms and Workskil extend their partnerships for the long-term. Their support is appreciated and never taken for granted.

To our members, thank you for your passion, loyalty and commitment. We reached a near record tally of more than 63,000 and our AFLW membership base ranks second in the competition, behind only the Sydney Swans who exist in a city with five times the population.

NEW HEADQUARTERS

There is no more important off-field endeavour than establishing a new headquarters at Thebarton Oval. While at times it may appear that we are only inching towards our goal, I can reassure you we are progressing and heading in the right direction.

We are determined to deliver a training, administration and community facility that is best in class in Australia. We have looked offshore and sourced the services of one of the world’s leading planning and design firms, which has worked with the likes of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys on their recent development.

Not only will the Thebarton Oval precinct provide high performance advantages for our players and coaches, including a permanent home ground for our women’s team, it will deliver tangible and long-lasting benefits to the community.

We have now embarked upon a detailed consultation and planning process which is crucial in the ongoing development of our master plan. We are meeting with and taking input from local residents, as well as community and sporting groups among others, and this important work will continue into the New Year.

OUR PEOPLE

Our people are the strength of the Club and CEO Tim Silvers, his management team, and football and administration staff, deserve credit for their work ethic and dedication. The AFL is a non-stop industry and they are always aspiring to make the Club the best it can possibly be. I would also like to acknowledge my fellow Board Directors for their time and expertise.

Together we are chasing sustained success, both on and off the field, and there is no doubt we have the talent and commitment to realise our ambition.

Hon John Olsen AO

CEO TIM SILVERS

We continue to take steps in the right direction, both on and off the field, but we are not satisfied.

Reflecting upon 2022, there were many highlights and none bigger than our

and creating a dynasty which will be talked about for years to come. Having to

the same year was also an achievement in itself! Importantly, Senior

Phil Harper, along with the majority of our key on-field leaders, have

We acknowledge and embrace the rising expectations surrounding our men’s program and I am confident we have the right people in the right seats. The time, energy and expertise that Matthew Nicks and his coaching group have invested in the squad is starting to show and we now have far greater depth. Consistency within games and from week to week is what we are missing and determined to achieve. Our SANFL team performed well and it is helping build the foundation of a winning culture, which will benefit our younger players immensely.

Off-field, the Club made gains and I am pleased to say we have now cleared our debt which is a significant achievement off the back of the global pandemic and its far-reaching financial impact across world sport. The fact we were able to do so two years ahead of our forecasted timeline is a credit to everyone in the Crows family and especially our member and supporter base, whose loyalty is unrivalled.

Leading this Club is a privilege and I will never take it for granted. Having spent nearly two decades working in the football industry, I realise that my role and those of the many other passionate staff members are important but in the same breath, we are only a small part of the organisation’s journey.

We must always put the Club first and I am proud of the incredibly talented and committed workforce which continues to back-up week after week with enthusiasm and high standards.

Their passion is matched, and in many cases exceeded, by our members. Thanks for your continued support and it is always uplifting to see Crows colours in stadiums across the country but particularly the noise and atmosphere you create at Adelaide, Unley and Norwood ovals.

I would also like to acknowledge the commitment and efforts of our supporter groups, including cheer squad president Peter

Our inaugural Member Engagement Panel was also a big success and the participants’ feedback on membership and ticketing, stadium and match day experience, and merchandise has influenced our decision-making heading into 2023.

The Club’s partnership with Toyota continues to go from strength to strength and its longevity is a rarity in Australian sport. Along with backing from a long list of other well-known brands and local businesses, we have been able to maximise our football department spend and invest in outreach programs. We recently restructured our community department which will allow us to have an even greater impact across the State going forward.

A sense of belonging and connection underpins the strength of football clubs during good and challenging times. History can also

AFLW team winning a third premiership

back-up and play another season in

Coach Matthew Clarke and Women’s Head of Football

already committed for next season.

Kauschke who was named AFL Fans Association Fan of the Year.

AM PROUD OF THE INCREDIBLY TALENTED AND COMMITTED WORKFORCE WHICH CONTINUES TO BACK-UP WEEK AFTER WEEK WITH ENTHUSIASM AND HIGH STANDARDS.”

be an important signpost to the future and it is why it was great to bring together our premiership players from 1997 and 1998 for a reunion this year.

We are actively trying to give our current staff and playing squads a deeper understanding of those who wore the Crows jumper before them, as well as those who worked tirelessly off the field. Past influential figures returning to the Club to share their stories and knowledge is now a common occurrence.

Celebrating our heritage will be an ongoing focus and it is prominent in our thinking while designing a new training, administration and community facility at Thebarton. The proposed headquarters is a significant part of our new fiveyear strategy which we have been formulating in recent months. This fresh strategic vision reflects a football-first focus and a commitment to giving you even more reason to be proud of your Club. We intend to share specific details with you early next year.

Thanks again for your loyalty and support and we should all look to next year with positivity.

“I

Tim Silvers

AFL SENIOR COACH MATTHEW NICKS

While never happy to be a finals spectator in September, this year was another important step in the journey we are on to get back there.

It was a year of growth and we can reflect on the season with optimism and confidence for what lies ahead. We saw improvement in the brand of football we want to play, in the cohesion of our team and the experience of our list, as well as the performance of some individuals who took their game to the next level.

That was underpinned by the performance of our SANFL team which enjoyed its most successful season ever and exposed many of our players to a state league finals campaign for the first time. A congratulations must go to Mick Godden and everyone involved in our SANFL program.

At AFL level we saw the emergence of some of our exciting young players in Josh Rachele, Jake Soligo, Riley Thilthorpe and Sam Berry and what they will bring to our team for what I hope will be many years to come.

Other players like Darcy Fogarty, Shane McAdam and Jordon Butts –who now have upwards of 40 and 50 games under their belt – are looking more and more confident. There was continued excellence of some of our older guys in Rory Laird and Taylor Walker, who were both named in the All-Australian squad after outstanding seasons.

As has been the case in recent off-seasons, we have continued to add talent to our group through the draft and trade period. This year we are thrilled to welcome Izak Rankine to our Club from Gold Coast, and Jordan Dawson returning home from Sydney the year before.

I am fortunate to work with an amazing group of people at our Club and none more closely than our coaches and high performance team within our football department. Pleasingly we continue to attract high quality people to our program, the latest being Shane Edwards who joined us from Richmond. Shane is the Indigenous Player Development Manager and will also work in recruiting.

On the comings and goings front, I would like to pay tribute to defender Luke Brown who announced his retirement this season after 189 games. Browny has been one of the most reliable players at our Club for the past decade and is highly respected by his teammates and coaches and will always be welcome back at West Lakes.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge James Rowe, Ben Davis, Billy Frampton and Brett Turner for the contribution they made in their time at the Club and wish them well for the future. Thanks must also go to our leadership group headed by Captain Rory Sloane who is putting in a mountain of work behind the scenes on his knee rehab. Although sidelined for much of the season,

Sloaney continued to lead the group as he always has and was well supported by Brodie Smith, Reilly O’Brien, Tom Doedee, Ben Keays and Jordan Dawson.

Finally and importantly, we all appreciate the ongoing support of our Members and fans who continue to stick with us on this exciting journey. We hope to be able to reward you with more wins next year like those over Richmond, Carlton and Port Adelaide in that memorable Showdown at Adelaide Oval this year.

I know this group is up for the challenge, I’ve seen it in many of our players who returned to the gym early during their off-season break and were putting in the work ahead of a big pre-season in preparation for 2023.

Matthew Nicks

“IT WAS A YEAR OF GROWTH AND WE CAN REFLECT ON THE SEASON WITH OPTIMISM AND CONFIDENCE FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD.”

AFLW SENIOR COACH MATTHEW CLARKE

Hectic, fun, enormously proud but not entirely content. That’s how I would summarise the past 12 months and the feeling in the group having just completed two AFLW seasons in the one calendar year which was unprecedented territory.

We set ourselves high standards and the disappointment of the preliminary final loss to Brisbane in Season Seven will linger for a while to come.

We put ourselves in a position to push for back-to-back premierships with an 8-2 record in the homeand-away season, but ultimately we weren’t able to get over the two Grand Finalists at the business end of the season, and I know it will drive our group for next year.

But if we are reflecting on the past year as a whole, then nothing will take the shine off what was an incredible experience in Season Six which delivered the Club a third AFLW premiership.

The grand final win over Melbourne was an amazing day not only for us, but for all the family and friends who were in the rooms afterwards creating lifelong memories.

But none of it would have been possible without the enormous amount of hard work from our players, coaches and staff, many of whom made significant sacrifices in their personal lives by going above and beyond the required Covid protocols to ensure we could complete the season safely and successfully.

However no sooner had Season Six finished, we were preparing for Season Seven which brought its own unique challenges on and off the field.

With just a six-week break in between seasons, our list management team headed by Phil Harper and Katrina Gill had to navigate AFLW expansion to all 18 clubs. This inevitably led to the departure of some players including premiership players Erin Phillips, Justine Mules, Ange Foley and Nikki Gore, who I would like to thank for their significant contribution particularly in the formative years of our team.

But we were really excited and grateful to retain the majority of our squad, many of whom turned down larger offers elsewhere to stay with us, and this was pivotal to us remaining competitive in Season Seven and hopefully beyond.

By season’s end it was pleasing to see four of our players duly rewarded with All-Australian selection. Our Captain Chelsea Randall, who showed her versatility playing in just about every position on the ground, ever-reliable full back Chelsea Biddell who took her game to a new level, and our midfield leaders Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard who continue to set a benchmark not just for our team but for the competition.

I must also send a special thanks to our leadership group which remained unchanged from Season Six to Seven and included Chelsea Randall, vice captain Sarah Allan, Ebony Marinoff, Stevie-Lee Thompson and Eloise Jones.

I would also like to thank our amazing Members and supporters who continued to show up at multiple venues across the two seasons and in all sorts of weather conditions! Your support is highly valued by the team and I know our players love performing in front of you, so thank you. I must also thank two-time premiership player Ailish Considine for her contribution in 26 games across five seasons.

As we reflect on a whirlwind past year, we are already looking towards Season Eight with excitement.

We debuted 10 players across the past two seasons which shows our list is continuing to evolve. It bodes well for the future and we can’t wait to get back out there, but not before a well earned break for all.

Matthew Clarke

SANFL SENIOR COACH MICK GODDEN

Proud is the word that most describes how I feel about the SANFL season that was.

I get a great sense of pride - not only from the commitment displayed by our development and AFL players - but also how the entire club supported and backed us.

It was a very exciting year for us and the boys really played with the right mindset.

From the first bounce, to when that final siren sounded at the end of the Preliminary Final, they fought to every last second.

Although we did not reach the Grand Final and claim the ultimate success, our 2022 SANFL campaign had so many positives.

We went from an eighth-place finish in 2021 to ending this past minor round with 13 wins - the most since entering the State League in 2014. We secured second place on the ladder, which again was our highest finish.

The team spent four weeks on top of the ladder and 17 weeks within the top three.

All of that would not have been achievable if it wasn’t for the buyin from our AFL-listed players, our development players, as well as the support from the Club as a whole, so for that, I say thank you.

Although winning makes up a huge part of what we do, we also exist to help our players grow and develop. We understand our role is to help them be great AFL players for the Adelaide Football Club but there are steps along the way.

The SANFL is an important step in the careers of our AFL-listed players and for them to have an opportunity to play in three, high-quality finals against hardened opposition is an experience that will only make them better.

I also need to thank our development players, who sacrificed a lot locally to play for us and helped us succeed in the SANFL competition.

We are one Club with three teams and no matter what competition you play in, when you put on that Crows jumper you’re representing us.

“PROUD IS THE WORD THAT MOST DESCRIBES HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE SANFL SEASON THAT WAS.”

Our development players certainly wore our guernsey with pride and I believe they grew not only as footballers, but as people.

We will be working hard to keep the core as close as we can because there is a lot of success in stability and we’d like to keep that support for our AFL program as stable as possible.

I can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for us.

Mick Godden

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Tim Silvers

RICHARD FENNELL KATE ELLIS

HON JOHN OLSEN AO Chairman LINDA FELLOWS Deputy Chair SHANTI BERGGREN

WARREN RANDALL ROD JAMESON MARK RICCIUTO STEPHEN ROCHE GRAEME GOODINGS

Premiership player, best-on-ground in the Grand Final, All-Australian and Club Champion as well.

Anne Hatchard capped a magnificent team and individual season by winning her second best-and-fairest award in Season Six.

The midfielder, who was also crowned Club Champion in 2020, averaged 24 disposals, seven marks and almost four tackles per game throughout Adelaide’s regular season and delivered again in the Grand Final with 26 disposals and six tackles.

Hatchard claimed the gold jacket by just nine votes from fellow midfielder Ebony Marinoff while defender Sarah Allan was third.

Other award winners included Ashleigh Woodland who was the team’s leading goalkicker, Hatchard and Allan shared the players’ player award and Allan won best defensive player of the year.

SARAH ALLAN

It was the ever-reliable Sarah Allan who took out the Best Defensive Player for a second consecutive season.

Allan earnt All Australian honours in Season Six for the third time in her career after a consistent season in a key defensive post. The back averaged 5.5 intercepts and 11.2 disposals across 12 games.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR LEADING GOALKICKER AWARD

ASHLEIGH WOODLAND

Versatile forward Ashleigh Woodland claimed the Crows’ Leading Goal Kicker Award.

The 24-year-old made a blazing start to 2022 with back-to-back four-goal hauls as she staked her claim as the dominant forward in the competition.

She kicked multiple goals in eight games this season to finish with a league-high 21 for the year.

SARAH ALLAN & ANNE HATCHARD PLAYERS’ PLAYER (JOINT WINNERS)

Three-time Premiership stars Anne Hatchard and Sarah Allen were again recognised for their outstanding seasons, tying for the Players’ Player Award, as voted on by their peers.

" It's pretty surreal and a massive honour "

AFL CLUB CHAMPION

Rory Laird etched his name alongside some of Adelaide’s greatest ever players by winning his third Club Champion Award this year.

Having already claimed gold jackets in 2018 and 2021, Laird became only the fourth player to win three alongside Mark Ricciuto, Simon Goodwin and Andrew McLeod.

He is also now one of four players to have gone back to back with Ricciuto, Goodwin and Scott Thompson also achieving the feat. Despite missing the first two games of the season while recovering from a broken hand he suffered in a

pre-season game, Laird polled 118 votes to win by four from defender Jordan Dawson (114), Ben Keays (88), Taylor Walker (82) and Brodie Smith (71).

“It’s pretty surreal and a massive honour,” Laird said on Club Champion night.

“It’s probably been my most consistent season, I’ve been working really closely with Nathan van Berlo trying to take my game to another level. Last year I got a feel for the midfield and this year I’ve been able to branch off a bit more, now I’d like to kick a few more goals which is probably the next step.”

RORY LAIRD

PLAYERS’ TRADEMARK AWARD

This award is voted on by the playing group and coaches and presented to the person who best embodied the players’ trademark throughout the year.

Midfielder Rory Laird won it for the second year in a row, having been ranked elite for disposals, clearances and tackles this season and winning his third best-and-fairest.

JORDAN DAWSON MEMBERS MVP AWARD

A goal after the siren to win Showdown 51 made Jordan Dawson an instant fan favourite and he ultimately won the Members’ MVP Award for season 2022.

In his first season for the Crows, Dawson averaged a career-best 24.6 disposals per game and showed his versatility across halfback and on the wing to finish runner-up in the best-and-fairest.

REILLY O'BRIEN

PHIL WALSH BEST TEAM MAN AWARD

After being elevated to Adelaide’s leadership group this season, ruckman Reilly O’Brien was named best team man in an award named after late Crows’ coach Phil Walsh.

O’Brien averaged 13 disposals and a careerbest 37 hit-outs per game this year but it was his commitment to his teammates and the Club that saw him recognised with the honour.

BEN KEAYS DR BRIAN SANDO OAM TROPHY

Ben Keays has finished in the top-five of the best-and-fairest in all three seasons he’s been at the Crows and now he’s won the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy for outstanding professionalism and preparation to play at the highest level.

Having already cemented himself in the Crows’ midfield, Keays went forward with great affect as well this season and averaged 26 disposals, five clearances and 4.8 tackles per game.

SAM BERRY MARK BICKLEY EMERGING TALENT AWARD

Sam Berry was recognised for an outstanding second AFL season with the Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award which highlights the achievements of a player under the age of 21.

Playing in the midfield, Berry’s average disposals increased from nine to 17 this season and he led the competition for tackles per game with an impressive 9.5.

TOM DOEDEE CROWS FOUNDATION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Tom Doedee played a crucial role in encouraging the entire playing squad to get behind the Crows Foundation’s Inclusive Academy – a development program for young people with a disability to discover their passion for football.

The award was established by the foundation to acknowledge players’ exceptional contributions to the community and Doedee received the award for the second time, having attended every session of this year’s Inclusive Academy.

JAY BOYLE DEAN BAILEY AWARD

SANFL midfielder Jay Boyle was crowned Adelaide’s best development player for the second consecutive year this season after averaging 17 disposals, five tackles and three clearances per game in the state league.

The award assesses on-field performance, dedication to training and overall commitment to the team, and is named in honour of Adelaide’s late strategy and innovation coach Dean Bailey who had a passion for helping nurture young footballers.

"

Strachan's dominant season was recognised by winning back-toback Club Champion awards this year."

Ruckman Kieran Strachan’s dominant season was recognised by winning back-to-back Club Champion awards this year.

The Crows made it to a SANFL preliminary final in 2022 on the back of Strachan’s classy tap work in the middle and strong overhead marking around the ground.

Strachan averaged 16 disposals, five marks and 3.6 clearances per game this season which included a monster 56 hit-outs against West Adelaide in Round Six.

He also played two AFL games against Brisbane and St Kilda in Rounds nine and 10.

Final

Top

Three-time Adelaide Premiership midfielder Anne Hatchard has made history, becoming the first women’s player to claim the AFLW Club Champion award three times.

Hatchard capped another incredible season by being awarded Adelaide’s highest individual honour for a second season in a row at the Club’s AFLW awards at the Hilton in early December.

The 24-year-old, who also won the award after stellar campaigns in

Season Four and Six, polled 343 votes, ahead of second-placed Ebony Marinoff (339 votes) and defender Chelsea Biddell (336).

This past season, Hatchard, who notched her 50th-game milestone in Round One, averaged 23.5 touches, 5.5 tackles and 4.5 clearances per game.

Marinoff led the count after the Crows’ semi-final against Melbourne, before strong performances by Hatchard in the semi-final and prelim, lifted her into first place.

Adelaide’s No.10, meanwhile, averaged a career-best 25.6 disposals per match, along with 9.5 tackles and 5.1 clearances.

Marinoff, who claimed the award in 2021, has finished in the top three of the Club Champion count every year since the Crows’ team entered the AFLW competition in 2017.

CHELSEA BIDDELL

In just her second season playing as a defender after switching from a forward ahead of Season Six, Chelsea Biddell took home the Best Defensive Player for Season Seven.

Biddell’s top-three finish in the Club Champion award count and her Best Defensive Player Award win came after she recorded careerbest numbers in disposals (12.9), marks (2.8) and rebound 50s (5.8).

The 24-year-old has cemented herself as one of the best backs in the competition and received a maiden All Australian guernsey after being selected in Season Seven’s team.

CHELSEA BIDDELL PLAYERS’ PLAYER

Chelsea Biddell capped a standout season after also taking home the Players’ Player award.

The AFLW Players’ Player Award goes to the highest polling player from team votes. Players issue 3,2,1 votes after each game.

Final Top 10

Anne Hatchard 343 Ebony Marinoff 339

ASHLEIGH WOODLAND

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR LEADING GOALKICKER AWARD

Talented forward Ashleigh Woodland claimed the Leading Goal Kicker award for the second season in a row.

The 24-year-old booted 14 goals across 13 games, while young forward Danielle Ponter kicked 11.

Chelsea Biddell 336 Sarah Allan 286

Stevie-Lee Thompson 274

Caitlin Gould 273

Chelsea Randall 266

Teah Charlton 261 Madison Newman 193

Ashleigh Woodland 187

2022 DEBUTANTS

It was a symbol of hope.

As Adelaide’s players, coaches and staff formed a circle at the southern end of Adelaide Oval an hour before the bounce for Round 1, inside it stood three players who represented the Club’s future.

Jordan Dawson – a lifelong Crows fan who had returned to his home state of SA after six years in Sydney – and two prized young Victorian draftees in Josh Rachele and Jake Soligo were waiting to receive their guernseys ahead of their Club debut.

For Soligo and Rachele it would mark their AFL debut as well after the pair were selected with Pick 6 and 36 respectively in the National Draft and wasted no time signing contract extensions committing to the Club until at least 2025.

Not only was Dawson about to play his first game for the Club he supported as a kid, the man who presented him with his guernsey, Mark Ricciuto, was one of his heroes.

“Jordy, enjoy your time at the footy club,” Ricciuto told Dawson ahead of his homecoming game.

“It’s a great family club and it’s even more special when you have your family and friends in this great stadium.”

Rachele showed no sign of first-game nerves and lived up to Sam Jacobs’ prophetic words as he handed him his Crows jumper.

“I think you epitomise where the group is at at the moment – you’re young, exciting and chomping at the bit to get out here and play today,” Jacobs said.

“Sometimes when you’re a high draft pick the expectation is you just roll in and play Round 1, but we all know how much work has gone on behind the scenes and you thoroughly deserve this opportunity to be out here playing today.”

Soligo, who came to the Club with a reputation for being a smart, hard-working and skilful footballer, was presented his guernsey by a player who shared similar traits across his career – Richard Douglas.

“From all reports, the way you go about your footy, you work hard, your attention to detail and diligence is first class so I’m sure these boys are going to enjoy playing with you and all the best for a long career,” Douglas told him.

Adelaide’s only other AFL debutant for the season came in Round 12 when Patrick Parnell played his first game after being picked up as a mid-season draftee from Albury in NSW 12 months earlier.

“It’s a proud moment for you, your family, your mates and teammates, the community of Albury and Albury Tigers and anyone who’s ever been associated with you, they probably feel like they’re playing today,” said past player Chris Groom who presented Parnell his guernsey.

“So you’re playing for yourself but everyone else as well.”

Round 1 v Fremantle, AFC Player No.251 Guernsey presented by:

2022 DEBUTANTS

AFL Debutants

Jordan Dawson

Round 1 v Fremantle

Adelaide Oval

AFC Player No.250

Guernsey presented by: Mark Ricciuto

Josh Rachele

Round 1 v Fremantle Adelaide Oval

AFC Player No.251 Guernsey presented by: Sam Jacobs

Jake Soligo

Round 1 v Fremantle Adelaide Oval

AFC Player No.252 Guernsey presented by: Richard Douglas

Patrick Parnell

Round 12 v West Coast Adelaide Oval

AFC Player No.253 Guernsey presented by: Chris Groom

AFLW Debutants

Jasmine Simmons

Round 1 (Season 6) v Brisbane Flinders University Stadium AFC Player 54

Abbie Ballard

Round 3 (Season 6) v West Coast Punt Road Oval (Swinburne Centre)

AFC Player 55

Brooke Tonon

Round 7 (Season 6) v GWS Henson Park AFC Player 56

Zoe Prowse

Round 10 (Season 6) v St Kilda RSEA Park AFC Player 57

McKenzie Dowrick

Round 10 (Season 6) v St Kilda RSEA Park

AFC Player 58

Niamh Kelly

Round 1 (Season 7) v Melbourne Glenelg Oval

AFC Player 59

Amber Ward

Round 2 (Season 7) v Richmond Punt Road Oval (Swinburne Centre)

AFC Player 60

Jess Waterhouse

Round 5 (Season 7) v GWS Unley Oval AFC Player 61

Keeley Kustermann

Round 7 (Season 7) v Fremantle Unley Oval AFC Player 62

Kiera Mueller

Round 9 (Season 7) v Geelong Unley Oval AFC Player 63

SANFL Debutants

Luke Nankervis

Round 1 v Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval AFC Player No.194

Jake Soligo

Round 1 v Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval AFC Player No.195

Zac Taylor Round 1 v Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval AFC Player No.196

Jacob Templeton

Round 1 v Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval

AFC Player No.197

Louis Sharrad

Round 1 v Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval

AFC Player No.198

Nathan Freeman

Round 3 v Glenelg ACH Group Stadium AFC Player No.199

Harry Schoenberg

Round 3 v Glenelg ACH Group Stadium

AFC Player No.200

Mitch Hinge

Round 4 v Central District X Convenience Oval

AFC Player No.201

Isaya McKenzie

Round 6 v West Adelaide Hisense Stadium AFC Player No.202

Josh Smithson

Round 6 v West Adelaide Hisense Stadium AFC Player No.203

Brett Turner Round 13 v Glenelg

ACH Group Stadium AFC Player No.204

Josh Rachele

Round 17 v Woodville-West Torrens Maughan Thiem Kia Oval AFC Player No.205

Louis Sharrad

Round 1 v Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval AFC Player No.198

"I'LL

LUKE BROWN

There have been few constants of the past decade at the Adelaide Football Club quite as constant as Luke Brown in defence.

A rock of the Crows’ backline, Brown established himself as one of the Club’s most consistent and reliable defenders who could regularly shut down the opposition’s most dangerous small forwards.

But now after an 11-year career at West Lakes, which featured 189 games including seven finals, a Rising Star nomination and a third placing in the best-and-fairest, Brown has hung up the boots.

“I’d like to thank the Club for the journey, I’ve spent a third of my life

here and with a young family I am now ready for the next chapter,” Brown said.

“I remember being overlooked in my draft year in 2010 and to be given the chance to play AFL in my home state the year after is something I was very grateful for.

“So to be here 11 years and 189 games later is something I’ll forever be proud of.”

Brown was pre-listed by GWS from his SANFL club Norwood ahead of the 2011 draft before being traded to Adelaide.

He made his AFL debut against GWS in Round 16, 2012, and had

cemented his spot a year later when he played 21 games in his second season in 2013.

“My first game was memorable as were all the finals I got to play in, and as disappointing as the grand final in 2017 turned out to be, to have that opportunity at the top level is something I will always cherish.

“I’ll leave with lifelong friendships and always be proud to have played my career at the Adelaide Football Club.”

TRADE IZAK RANKINE

Height: 181cm Weight: 81kg

DOB: 23/4/2000

Recruited from: Gold Coast (AFL)

Rankine has returned to the club he grew up supporting as a kid and looks set to become a fan favourite at Adelaide Oval. A smoothmoving midfielder/forward, Rankine has classy goal sense and speed which he showcased in his 48 games with the Gold Coast over the past three seasons.

PICK 17 MAX MICHALANNEY

Height: 191cm Weight: 78kg

DOB: 26/2/2004

Recruited from: Norwood (SANFL)

Adelaide’s first ever father-son selection in a National Draft, Michalanney’s father Jim played 211 games and in four premierships with Norwood in the 1970s and 80s. The 18-yearold defender can play on tall or small opponents, is calm under pressure and played league footy for the Redlegs this season.

2022 AFL TRADE & DRAFT

Adelaide has completed another successful trade and draft period headlined by the arrival of South Australian midfielder/forward Izak Rankine.

Rankine was drafted with Pick No.3 to Gold Coast in 2018 and returns to his home state after 48 games and 57 goals.

The Crows traded Pick No.5, and a future third and fourth round selection to the Suns in exchange for the 22-year-old, Pick No.46 and a future fourth round selection.

Adelaide then headed into the National Draft and managed to secure three players inside the top 50 selections which included father-son nomination Max Michalanney from Norwood.

The Crows were agressive in the remaining rounds, trading up to bolster the midfield with two proven ball winners with leadership qualities.

PICK 43 BILLY DOWLING

Height: 188cm Weight: 80kg

DOB: 1/7/2004

Recruited from: North Adelaide (SANFL)

A tall midfielder with the ability to find plenty of the footy, Dowling also has leadership qualities that saw the Crows trade back into the draft to snare him at Pick 43.

Dowling captained St Peter’s College this season and was named MVP of the SANFL’s under-18 competition while playing for the Roosters.

PICK 50 HUGH BOND

Height: 185cm Weight: 82kg

DOB: 25/9/2004

Recruited from: GWV Rebels (NAB League)

Another midfielder the Crows traded up to secure on draft night, Bond is a strong-bodied onballer renowned for his competitiveness and physicality around the footy. A former top-level rower, he is no stranger to hard work and captained the GWV Rebels in the NAB League this year.

2022 AFLW TRADE & DRAFT

Adelaide added more young talent to its list ahead of Season Seven after selecting three exciting players at the Draft.

The Crows selected Keeley Kustermann with their first selection at Pick No.40, Kiera Mueller with Pick No.69 and McKenzie Dowrick with Pick No.71.

Competitive and reliable with a penetrating kick, Kustermann had an impressive SANFLW season with West Adelaide, captained the undefeated South Australian team at the NAB AFLW under-18 Championships and was also a member of the Bloods’ leadership group.

Kustermann became the fourth player to debut in the tri-colours in Season Seven, playing her first AFLW game in Round Seven against Fremantle.

Mueller, a small defender from Sturt Football Club, is renowned for her booming left kick and strong decision-making.

She is a graduate of the Bridgestone Crows Academy, thrives in one-on-one contests and also provides plenty when on the attack.

Dowrick received a late call-up to Adelaide’s AFLW squad last season as a replacement player and lined up in one game for the Club against St Kilda in Round 10.

From Western Australia, Dowrick also has previous AFLW experience with West Coast and the Brisbane Lions.

Dowrick lined up in three games in Season Seven before rupturing her

ACL in the Showdown win against Port Adelaide.

Adelaide strengthened its squad during the AFLW Sign and Trade Period by adding former West Coast duo Niamh Kelly and Amber Ward.

Kelly and Ward joined the Crows’ nest in exchange for Pick No.43 and 2017 Premiership player Jessica Sedunary.

From Ireland, Kelly is also an accomplished Gaelic player who captained County Mayo’s representative team in 2019 and led the county to an All-Ireland final, before the Eagles selected her as an international rookie.

She is a quick winger and made her Crows debut in Round One, Season Seven.

KIERA MUELLER

KEELEY KUSTERMANN

Ward, a 175cm defender, debuted for Adelaide in Round Two against Richmond.

Adelaide also signed small forward Jess Waterhouse as a replacement for Premiership player Jasmyn Hewett, who moved onto the inactive list, due to work commitments.

An explosive 157cm forward, Waterhouse was a standout at SANFLW level in her first year with South Adelaide after switching from soccer.

The former junior Matilda and Adelaide United representative showed great goal sense, kicking 16 majors to finish equal-second in the League goalkicking.

Waterhouse made her AFLW debut with the Crows in Round Five against GWS.

JESS WATERHOUSE MCKENZIE DOWRICK

AMBER WARD

NIAMH KELLY

TOP 10 MOMENTS OF 2022

1. AFLW Grand Final win: Season Six

Adelaide’s AFLW team made history in 2022 by winning its third Premiership. The Crows took on Melbourne in the flag decider at Adelaide Oval in April and prevailed over the Demons by 13 points. Star midfielder Anne Hatchard won the best-on-ground medal after finishing with 26 disposals, nine marks and six tackles.

4. Inaugural AFLW Showdown win

Season Seven was special because for the first time in the AFLW competition’s short history, all 18 Clubs fielded a team. That also meant Adelaide and cross-town rivals Port Adelaide were given a chance to finally make their mark in a Showdown. The build up was big and the game even bigger for the Crows, who dominated and won by 60 points. It was a special night for Skipper Chelsea Randall, who booted three goals, while collecting 27 disposals and seven clearances to take home the inaugural AFLW Showdown Medal.

6. SANFL Qualifying Final win against Norwood

Adelaide’s Qualifying Final win against Norwood capped a successful season for the side, after it earned a major-round berth for the third time since entering the competition in 2014. Skipper Matthew Wright booted five goals in the 18.9 (117) to 9.8 (62) victory. SANFL-listed midfielder Jay Boyle also starred with 28 disposals, seven clearances, seven inside-50s and a goal, while ruckman Kieran Strachan claimed 17 possessions and 43 hit-outs.

Despite going down to North Adelaide in the Preliminary final, the Crows’ 2022 SANFL season was their best to date. The side ended the minor round with 13 wins, the most in any SANFL season by the Club, second on the ladder, which was its highest finish in the competition and spent 17 weeks inside the top three, which the Crows had never achieved before.

5. Round Six one-point win over the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat

Adelaide claimed another scalp in Round Six when it beat the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat. Forward Taylor Walker starred kicking his 500th career goal to lead the Crows to an 8.15 (64) to 9.8 (62) win. The match will also be remembered for the high-flying grab Jordan Dawson took in the first quarter.

2. Showdown LI: Jordan Dawson’s match-winning goal

The Crows entered Showdown LI as the underdogs and were behind for most of the game. Adelaide was two points down before being awarded a free kick 45m in front of goal as the final siren sounded. Then, enter recruit Jordan Dawson. In just his third game for the Club, Dawson took the kick. The ball bent and curved through for a goal, handing the Crows an epic victory. Fittingly, Dawson won the Showdown Medal.

3. Round Five AFL victory against Richmond at Adelaide Oval

Key forward Taylor Walker booted five goals to inspire Adelaide to victory against Richmond at Adelaide Oval in Round Five. It was a memorable night in front of fans, with Elliott Himmelberg chiming in to boot four goals, helping the Crows to a 15.11 (101) to 12.10 (82) win. Ben Keays (31 disposals), Rory Laird (26 touches, one goal) and Matt Crouch (26 possessions) were also prolific in the big win.

7. Round 20 AFL win against Carlton

The Crows were rewarded for a relentless performance when they battled Carlton at Adelaide Oval in Round 20, winning by 29 points. At the time, seven wins and eight ladder spots separated the two sides, with Carlton vying for a top-four spot. But it was the hosts who brought the pressure and, led by midfielder Ben Keays who was switched to the forward line, Adelaide prevailed in front of its faithful. Keays amassed 21 disposals, booted a career-best three goals, registered a game-high four goal assists and 11 score involvements.

8. AFLW Round Nine, Season Six two-point win over Collingwood

Before this game, Adelaide had slipped down to second on the ladder but this nail-biting win against Collingwood in the final home match of Season Six lifted the Crows back into top. The victory didn’t come easy for the hosts though, and fans were kept on the edge of their seats. Adelaide’s defence was brilliant, holding off many shots on goal by the Magpies in the dying minutes of the final quarter. Ashleigh Woodland was dominant inside-50, booting two goals.

9. AFLW Preliminary Final win against Fremantle

It was the win that helped create history and put Adelaide into its fourth AFLW Grand Final. The match was contested and the Crows eventually prevailed 6.4 (40) to Fremantle’s 4.2 (26) at Adelaide Oval. Skipper Chelsea Randall led the way in defence with 12 intercepts, including a contested mark going back with the flight of the ball as the Dockers surged.

10. Rory Laird’s 200th game

It was always set to be a special game in Perth for both Adelaide and West Coast. The Crows were celebrating star on-baller Rory Laird’s 200th game, while the Eagles were farewelling Premiership hero Josh Kennedy. Adelaide contended with a hostile West Coast crowd but managed to honour Laird with a 16.6 (102) to 13.8 (86) win at Optus Stadium. Laird finished the game with 36 disposals, while Kennedy booted eight goals for the Eagles. Footy is more than a game, though, and this was on show after the match as both sides honoured Kennedy with a guard of honour and the forward stayed to shake hands with all Crows players.

CROWS HISTORY LOCKER CONNECTING THE PAST WITH THE PRESENT

The Adelaide Football Club has a rich history and to help connect the past with the present, the Crows History Locker - an online museum featuring a plethora of information about South Australia’s first AFL Clubwas launched in 2020.

The Heritage Committee, which includes John Reid (Chairman), Sam Jacobs, Terry Moore, David Burtenshaw, John Condon, Neil Smith, Robin Bennet, Ray Titus, Alan Trewartha and Ian Shuttleworth, worked hard to grow and evolve the site over the past two years.

The website is broken down into pages covering AFL, AFLW and the SANFL team history and also individual history.

It is also home to the Club’s honour boards, with timelines showcasing the Club’s history and details on every coach, captain, Club Champion, All Australian and Life Member.

To view the Club’s History Locker page, A comprehensive jumper collection section was this year’s biggest addition to the online Crows History Locker.

It features images and information about all the AFL, AFLW and SANFL guernseys worn by the Crows teams in every season.

There are also sections on Indigenous and one-off/heritage jumpers and details about all the numbers worn by the AFL players.

For the first time, the Adelaide Football Club has collated its precious AFL premiership photo archives into online galleries. The Adelaide Football Club engaged photographers Don McLennan and Stephen Sanders to document the Crows’ early years and then the 1997 and 1998 AFL Grand Finals. They travelled with the teams to Melbourne and were given access to the squad and staff, changerooms, club bus, and celebrations in Melbourne and Adelaide.

The pair was also there to capture the iconic late evening team photos in the middle of the MCG, an idea floated by then coach Malcolm Blight and general manager football operations John Reid.

Many of the gallery photos have been published before in club magazines and annual reports, or through AFL Photos, but these new online collections in the Crows History Locker feature some shots that have been hidden away in albums and slide sheets for years.

INDIGENOUS GUERNSEY ONE CLUB, THREE TEAMS ONE GUERNSEY

For the first time in Adelaide’s history this year, all three Crows teams – AFL, AFLW and SANFL – wore an Indigenous guernsey with the same design highlighting the coming together of the men’s and women’s teams on their reconciliation journey.

Designed by Eastern Arrernte man Pat Caruso, the design incorporated the Aboriginal adaptation of the crow at the centre of the guernsey with the Kaurna shield perched proudly on its chest.

The male and female hands which make up the wings of the crow and the fingerprints on the feathers which wrap around the guernsey represent the imprint players, staff, Members and supporters have left on the Club over its journey.

“Having the opportunity to design something that will share our culture with so many people has been incredible and has become such a massive part of my personal reconnection journey,” Caruso said.

“As the father to a daughter and a son, it was really special to make the first Indigenous guernsey that will bring the men’s and women’s teams together.

“The male and female hands which make up the wings of the Crows are equal parts of the bird, which shows the equality and recognition of both teams. When you have equality and recognition, other things follow.

CROWS FOUNDATION APY LANDS

Four Crows players travelled to the APY Lands in September where they combined football and education to inspire student learning.

Darcy Fogarty, Riley Thilthorpe, Will Hamill and James Rowe were joined by Adelaide Crows Foundation educators to help deliver the Club’s STEMfooty program, thanks to the support of the Bibbulmun Foundation.

STEMfooty aims to translate kids’ love of Australian Rules football into an appreciation, understanding and passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics underlying the sport.

Members of the Crows Foundation also up-skilled teachers so they could deliver the program which combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences to demonstrate the natural connection between sport, science and maths.

The four-day trip included visits to Ernabella Anangu School, Fregon Anangu School and Amata Anangu School and players were also involved in setting up a football carnival and helping judge the Ernabella Dance competition.

Adelaide STEMfooty manager Katie Bell said the program would open up many doors for students in the future.

“Students in the APY Lands can now make connections with their classroom work and the game they love to watch and play on weekends,” Bell said.

“The Adelaide Crows Foundation is proud to have created this bespoke STEMfooty program for First Nation students disadvantaged by rural and remote isolation barriers.

“A key focus of the program is to engage local teachers so they can sustain STEMfooty within their school curriculum in the long-term future.”

STEMfooty also provided the backbone for a new program introduced by the Adelaide Crows Foundation this year which helps provide career opportunities for young Indigenous women.

Kuwa Circles is a collaboration between the Foundation, the Stronger Smarter Institute, IPA Recruitment Agency, Tjindu Foundation and Tauondi Aboriginal Community College and aims to engage underrepresented female Indigenous

students in STEM career pathway development.

As well as learning the role of science and maths in football, participants complete an Indigenousdesigned leadership and connection program to help build confidence and resilience.

Another program delivered by the Crows Foundation this year was the Inclusive Academy which returned for a second season.

Sessions were held at AFL Max and provided children with a disability the chance to learn football skills while making friends in a supportive environment.

The program is made possible thanks to the support of Variety – The Children’s Charity, and more than 100 children and their families got to meet Crows players who guided them through the various skills stations.

Adelaide also continued to deliver the Crows Cup this year with AFLW players visiting schools to run a ninea-side female football competition. The carnival was started by the Crows’ AFLW captain Chelsea Randall in 2016 and games are held across Adelaide and regional SA.

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