Some of the state’s best, rising female footballers showcased their talents while donning a Crows guernsey during a ‘Showdown’ against Port Adelaide on Thursday night.
The game was played at Alberton Oval as part of the Club’s Bridgestone Crows Academies programs, which aims to give young talent a pathway to AFLW.
Despite a strong performance from Crows father-daughter prospect Polly Turner, Adelaide went down to the Power by 29 points.
Turner, who’s father Peter was part of Adelaide's AFL inaugural squad, was named best on ground and won the ‘Showdown’ medal.
After kicking the first goal of the game, the Crows Academies side was forced to combat a run of successive goals by the Power in the first half to trail by 33 points at half time.
The Crows Academies rallied and kicked three goals to none in the third term, closing the gap to 13 points at the last change.
But Port Adelaide went on to boot two late goals in the final quarter to take the win.
Crows Academies Manager Jarrod Meers said he was proud of the players, despite the result.
“Once again, the Adelaide Football Club has committed to ensuring female players within the SANFL Talent Pathway are provided with the ultimate AFLW experience via our Crows Academies NGA program,” Meers said.
“Courtney Cramey and her NGA coaches have run an excellent program with each Academies player given the opportunity to learn about the highest of standards and rub shoulders with our AFLW players.
“No doubt we have inspired some future stars and we look forward to seeing who the next AFLW Crows player from this program will be.”
The Bridgestone Crows Academies brings together the best under-15 female players in the state who have been nominated by the Club’s four next generation aligned clubs - North, Central, Glenelg and Sturt.
SCOREBOARD
Crows Academies 6.2 (38)
Power Academies 9.13 (67)
Crows goalkickers:
Skout Young, Iris Newman, 2, Lily Bartholomew, Jessie Rosser, 1
Crows Best Players
Polly Turner, Charlotte Copson, Skout Young, Caitlin Hardin, Miyu Endersby, Lily Bartholomaeus.
