The Crows have added five new players to their premiership-winning team for Saturday night’s AFLW season-opener at Norwood Oval.

Five of Adelaide’s six selections in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, Jessica Allan, Jasmyn Hewett, Eloise Jones, Ruth Wallace and Rheanne Lugg, will debut against the Brisbane Lions.

Premiership players Courtney Cramey (hamstring), Abbey Holmes (knee) and Jenna McCormick (soccer commitments) weren’t considered for selection for the AFLW Grand Final rematch.

Forward Rachael Killian and midfielder Sophie Armitstead are the emergencies.

Learn more about the new Crows in the 2018 AFLW player profiles

Coach Bec Goddard said Cramey, Holmes and McCormick were likely to be available to play against Melbourne next weekend.

“After a big pre-season, it’s disappointing for Courtney and Abbey to miss the first game,” Goddard said.

“The positive is their injuries are only minor and we expect both to be available for the Melbourne game.

“Jenna is honouring her commitments to Adelaide United, who play their last game of the W-League season on Friday night.

“We’re excited to have Jenna back training with us full-time next week.”

Adelaide’s first-round draft pick, Jess Allan, will team up with older sister and premiership Crow Sarah.

Jess, 18, and Sarah, 20, are set to become the first set of sisters to play for Adelaide.

There’s only one other pair of siblings in the AFL Women’s competition – the Hosking twins at Carlton, also coincidentally named Jess and Sarah. The identical twins will take the field together for the first time at AFLW level against Collingwood at Ikon Park on Friday night.

Athletic Northern Territory-based utility Hewett continues her rapid rise up the ranks.

Hewett, 23, won the NTFL’s Rising Star and finished second in the League’s MVP award in her first season of football last year.

X-factor forward Jones, 18, earned All-Australian selection alongside Jess Allan at the AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships last year. The former basketballer was also named the Most Valuable Player for the Bec Goddard-coached Allies at the Championships.

Fellow goalsneak Wallace will also make a Round One debut after impressing in her first pre-season.

Wallace, 25, kicked a freakish goal on her non-preferred foot in Adelaide’s trial game against Fremantle. The former Australian Junior Matildas representative was a member of Norwood’s SANFL Women’s premiership last year.

Lugg, 27, has previously played for Western Australia alongside Crows co-captain Chelsea Randall. The duo also won a premiership together for Swan Districts.

Goddard said it was testament to the squad’s depth that five new players could force their way into a premiership-winning team.

“It’s really exciting for our Club and our fans,” she said.

“As a coaching group, it was a tough selection because all of the girls have worked really hard and improved.

“The five debutants have earned their spots. They’ve bought into our culture and we can’t wait to see what they can do in front of a big Crows crowd on Saturday night.”

Saturday night’s match starts at 6:45pm (SA) with gates opening at 1:30pm.

A large crowd is expected, with members and supporters encouraged to arrive early.

The 2017 AFLW premiership flag will be unfurled on the western side of the ground at 6:25pm.

AFLW teams have been reduced to 21 this season – with 16 on the field and five on the bench – down from the six interchange players in the inaugural competition.

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NEW
Jessica Allan (Salisbury/Glenelg)
Jasmyn Hewett (St Mary’s)
Eloise Jones (Morphettville Park/Glenelg)
Ruth Wallace (Adelaide University/Norwood)
Rheanne Lugg (Riverina Lions)

The team is:
2. Eloise Jones
3. Angela Foley
4. Georgia Bevan
6. Talia Radan
8. Sally Riley
9. Deni Varnhagen
10. Ebony Marinoff
11. Rhiannon Metcalfe
13. Erin Phillips (co-captain)
14. Stevie Lee-Thompson
15. Ruth Wallace
17. Jess Sedunary
20. Jasmyn Hewett
23. Justine Mules
25. Jessica Allan
26. Chelsea Randall (co-captain)
28. Sarah Perkins
31. Dayna Cox
33. Anne Hatchard
39. Sarah Allan
45. Rheanne Lugg