Adelaide has signed Western Australian utility Juliet Kelly as a replacement player for the upcoming AFLW season.

The 18-year-old, who plays for Claremont in the WAFLW, has been enjoying a standout season, averaging 28.4 possessions and 7.5 tackles a game, including a 47-disposal performance against Perth late last month, in which she also had 11 inside-50s.

In 2025, Kelly set a new WAFLW record for most disposals when she had 48 touches in a single game proving her ball-winning ability.

Kelly, who stands at 173cm, has also represented WA this year in the State representative game against South Australia, as well as previously in the State AFLW Academy pathways at Under 16 and Under 18 levels.

She comes from a multi-sport background, which has included representing Australia in junior rowing.

Crows Executive General Manager AFLW Bree Brock said Kelly had been turning heads in the WAFLW with her high-disposal and high-tackle numbers.

“Juliet’s signature traits are her pressure and tackling and she is rightly referred to as a ‘tackling machine’,” Brock said.

“But she also has elite endurance and running capacity, which is what really caught our eye; at such a young age she can run AFLW levels already, which is rare.

“We know that this on-field commitment, combined with her team-first attitude will help our group achieve success this season.”

Kelly will replace Brooke Smith, who has been ruled out for the season after rupturing the ACL in her left knee last month.