Adelaide’s next generation of AFLW stars got the chance to showcase their talents under the lights of Norwood Oval last Friday night, as the Club hosted its annual Crows Academies Curtain Raiser. 

The match featured two teams of under-15 girls hand-picked by their respective Next Generation Academy aligned SANFL Clubs.

The selected players were split into two teams, named after Crows Academies graduates Brooke Tonon and Zoe Prowse, who both featured in the match as 14 year olds.

A familiar name among Crows fans was a stand out for Team Prowse, with Grace Burton (daughter of Brett) being recognised as her team’s best player on the day.

Despite Burton’s strong performance, her side went down to Team Tonon, which produced a clinical six-goal-to-nil second half to prevail 9.6 (60) to 3.4 (22).

Central District’s Amalia Musolino received Best on Ground honours for Team Tonon.

The Crows Academies Curtain Raiser has been a staple for the Club’s girls NGA program, with nine of the Club’s current AFLW players having played in the match throughout its history.

All the girls who played in the curtain raiser will feature in the second installment of the Club’s “Be a Pro” Academies talent program, which will give them the invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in the inner sanctum of an elite AFLW program.

Crows Academies manager Jarrod Meers said the match was pivotal in setting up the next batch of NGA prospects for future success. 

“Never before have we held a girls Crows Academies AFLW Curtain Raiser prior to a Showdown,” Meers said.

“This highlights how much the Adelaide Football Club is prioritising giving the next wave of emerging female football talent such wonderful opportunities to showcase their skills.

“In addition to the game, the Be a Pro Academies program highlights to all the Crows Academies players a taste of what it is like to prepare, train and play like an AFLW player.”

SCOREBOARD

Team Tonon 9.6.(60) 

Team Prowse 3.4.(22)

BEST ON GROUND:

Tonon Medallist: Amalia Musolino (Central Dist)

Prowse Medallist: Grace Burton (AFC Father Daughter – Woodville West Torrens)

GOALS:

Team Tonon: Annelise Lovell 2, Miller Thompson, Lily Steen, Miller Pratt, Shanae Gow Smith, Ruby Hughes, Alexia Koutsidis, Alixis Farr.

Team Prowse: Jahayla Knott 2, Asha Lehmann 1.