Adelaide AFLW draftee Chloe Bown’s description of herself as a footballer is both simple and incredibly effective.
She just wants to win.
The Crows selected the 173cm midfielder with the Pick No.5 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, after a dominant draft year that included winning Best and Fairests for both Victoria Metro and Oakleigh Chargers in the 2025 National Championships and Talent League, respectively.
She was also crowned the Most Valuable Player in the 2025 Talent League, after averaging 28 disposals, six tackles and five inside-50s per game.
These accomplishments are driven by a mindset centred around competitiveness, a trait that is even more impressive given she is still three days away from turning 18 years old.
Speaking to AFC Media after being drafted, she explained how that drive to succeed helped her get the best out of herself both on and off the field.
“The best way to describe myself on the footy field would definitely be that I’m competitive,” Bown said.
“All I want to do is help the team win in any way I can and never give up in any situation.
“I’ve always been a hard worker, whether that’s with school, footy or anything really, I just want to keep getting better and hopefully that mindset will hold me in good stead for this next chapter.”
All Bown’s hard work came to fruition on Monday night, when her name was called out by AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon at the fifth selection on draft night.
She said the feeling of being selected was surreal and was excited by the opportunity that presented in joining Adelaide’s accomplished AFLW program.
“The emotions are just so high at the moment, I feel like this morning it really hit me that I am an AFLW player, and I just could not be happier with how it all happened,” Bown said.
“To end up at Adelaide, a team that has had so much success in the AFLW and built such a strong program, it’s just amazing and such a great opportunity for me.
“To be able to train and play alongside such experienced players that I’ve looked up to for so long, it’s a bit surreal to be honest.
“Now I just can’t wait to get to work with them and help the Club continue its success into what will be a bit of a new era.”
The 17-year-old will be faced with the challenge of relocating her life from Melbourne to Adelaide, as she begins an exciting new chapter as a Crow.
But as she has done throughout her junior career, Bown said the move was a challenge she could not wait to take on.
“It (moving interstate) is a challenge that I can’t wait to tackle,” Bown said.
“I’m super excited to get stuck in, learn the new ways of Adelaide and adapt to what will be a big change for me.
“I know the beaches (in Adelaide) are great, the Club is great and I think it will be a great place for me to learn and get better both on and off the footy field.”
As Bown prepares for her first pre-season as an AFLW player, she said her mindset was to simply go in and try to improve with each session.
“The biggest thing for me now is just learning, getting stuck into training and improving to a point that will allow me to play at the highest-level next season,” Bown said.
“I want to be able to get over there and let my strengths shine, and that process all begins now.
“I honestly can’t wait to get into it and continue to get better for the season ahead and beyond.”
