Crows co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall have been highlighted by their peers as players to watch in the inaugural AFL Women’s season.

All captains of the eight AFLW teams were asked to share their predictions ahead of the start of the season in the first ever AFLW Captains’ Survey.

Phillips was the standout selection as the player expected to adapt best from another sport. The former Australian Opal basketballer and two-time WNBA champion confirmed on Monday that she will make her Crows debut in the Club’s season-opener against Greater Western Sydney at Thebarton Oval.

Randall is rated among the top contenders for the inaugural AFLW best and fairest. The tough Crow starred in the Crows’ opening trial match against Fremantle in Darwin. Melbourne’s Daisy Pearce is the early favourite for the award, attracting three votes from club captains.

Teen Crows midfielder Ebony Marinoff was also identified as a potential challenger for the inaugural AFLW Rising Star award, while Crows forward Sarah Perkins, who slotted 52 goals in the VWFL last year, was backed by one captain for the AFLW leading goalkicker title.

As a team however, the AFLW Crows will be out to defy the expectations of the women’s captains.

The Western Bulldogs were voted as the captains’ early flag favourite, while Fremantle and Carlton got the nod from two skippers. One captain selected Collingwood as the team to beat.

The Crows were overlooked in the poll.

Captains were not permitted to select their own club or nominate teammates in the anonymous survey.

The NAB AFL Women’s competition will be officially launched in Melbourne on Wednesday.


AFLW CAPTAINS’ SURVEY – FULL RESULTS

Which team will win the 2017 NAB AFL Women’s premiership?
3 - Western Bulldogs
2 - Fremantle
2 - Carlton
1 - Collingwood

Who will win the NAB AFL Women’s best and fairest?
3 - Daisy Pearce (Melbourne)
2 - Kara Donnellan (Fremantle)
2 - Emma Kearney (Western Bulldogs)
1 - Chelsea Randall (Adelaide Crows)

Who will be the best player coming from another sport?
3 - Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows/basketball)
1 - Ellie Brush (GWS Giants/soccer)
1- Bree Davey (Carlton/soccer)
1 - Gemma Houghton (Fremantle/basketball)
1 - Cat Phillips (Melbourne/frisbee)
1- Helen Roden (Collingwood/basketball)

Who who be the AFLW’s leading goalkicking?
2 - Moana Hope (Collingwood).
1 - Katie Brennan (Western Bulldogs)
1 - Mel Caulfield (Fremantle)
1 - Ellyse Gamble (Western Bulldogs)
1 - Tayla Harris (Brisbane Lions)
1 - Sarah Perkins (Adelaide Crows)
1 - Darcy Vescio (Carlton)

Who will win the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star award?
2 – Ashley Sharp (Fremantle)
1 – Nicola Barr (GWS Giants)
1 - Deanna Berry (Melbourne)
1 - Jasmine Garner (Collingwood)
1 - Shaleise Law (Brisbane Lions)
1 - Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide Crows)
1 - Hayley Miller (Fremantle)