Adelaide has secured its new AFLW Senior Coach Ryan Davis from one of this year’s Grand Final teams, with the Crows women’s program now entering a new era.
After a recruitment process spanning several months, Davis emerged as the leading candidate having spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with Brisbane.
Davis, 36, oversaw the Lions midfield following a women’s football coaching career that began in 2020 when he was appointed the inaugural coach of Southport.
He led the Sharks to Queensland Football Association premierships in 2020 and 2021, and then a runner-up finish when they entered the QAFL women’s competition in 2022.
Davis has also served as the senior assistant coach of Queensland’s women’s state team and prior to pursuing coaching, he played 35 AFL games for West Coast and Gold Coast.
Crows CEO Tim Silvers described Davis as an excellent communicator and strategist, with strong football intellect.
“We are really proud of what our AFLW program has been able to achieve over the years and enter a new era firmly believing Ryan can guide us to more success,” Silvers said.
“He has a proven record of developing talent and fostering and being involved in environments where players, coaches and staff get the best out of themselves.
“He’s also passionate about women’s footy and has a clear vision for our program’s future.”
Davis said he had always respected the Crows from afar and had long viewed them as one of the benchmarks of the AFLW competition.
“It’s clearly been a very successful program and my job is to try and do everything I can to enhance it further and bring positive results on and off the field,” Davis said.
“I will bring an enthusiasm and love for the game, partnered with high playing and training standards, where we will consistently be striving to get better.
“We will demand the best from each other to make sure we maximise our talent and potential, both individually and collectively.
“We can’t wait to move to Adelaide and for me to get my teeth stuck into the work ahead.”
