Adelaide recorded an 18-point win against West Coast in its match simulation at West Lakes on Saturday afternoon.

Playing four, 20-minute quarters with all available players given match-time minutes, the Crows led at every break, and prevailed by hree goals, 9 6 (60) to the Eagles 6 6 (42).

After the game, Crows AFLW Senior Coach Ryan Davis pinpointed the five words that defined the performance.

"It was a pleasing performance from the squad,” Davis said.

"We were able to transition the ball quite well at times, which gave our forwards some quality looks at goal.”

But the team’s connection also flows off-field, too.

“We are striving to get the best out of ourselves both individually and collectively,” he said.

“This is a very fun place to be and the players are getting better each and every day and they’ve really bought into what we’re trying to do and hopefully we get to see those things come to fruition as the season progresses.”

Goals

Key forward Caitlin Gould put in another impressive performance, booting four goals for the game – to go along with the four goals she also kicked in last week’s match sim loss to Fremantle in Perth. 

"Obviously Gouldy has a strong presence in the front half and draws the football to her,” Davis said. 

“She was able to compete really well for us and impact the scoreboard once again.

"Something we are looking at is spreading the load, having more avenues to goals, whether that be through the small forwards or our midfielders joining in.”

He was pleased with that area, as Adelaide had six goal kickers in total - Grace Kelly, Christina Leuzzi, Alicia Blizard, Kayleigh Cronin and Hannah Munyard who all kicked one goal apiece. 

Youngsters

The Crows coaching cohort decided to rest some of their more experienced players in the second half, after taking a 16-pint lead into the main break.

Captain Ebony Marinoff, key defender Sarah Allan and speedy midfielder Niamh Kelly sat out the second half.

Davis said this gave an opportunity to get a good look at some of the new players who had come into the side. 

“We’ve got eight new faces in the squad, so being able to put them in difference situations and scenarios is beneficial for us,” he said. 

As Round One’s game against Sydney on August 16 looms, Davis said the match sim gave him the chance to hone in on the make-up of the team for the first game of the 2026 season.

“(Over these match simulations) we’re making sure we’ve got a good body of players ready to step up when called upon, and developing players who have impact in multiple roles,” he said. 

Those new players included Chloe Bown and Juliet Kelly who rolled through the midfield in the second half, and forward Alicia Blizard who kicked her first goal in Crows colours.

 Pressure

Adelaide's game was built on tackles and a relentless drive to put the Eagles under pressure whenever they had ball in hand. 

Davis said it had been a focus for the Crows this pre-season.

“It’s quite clear the game requires high pressure, high tackle, high contest and that’s something that is always going to front of mind for us,” Davis said.

 OTTNO

Next up, the Crows face St Kilda at Unley Oval on Saturday, July 25, in the team’s only official pre-season practice match, to be played under match conditions. 

Davis said the side would continue to try to build on its game plan. 

“We will continue trying to build on our offence and our defence and our game plan in general,” he said. 

“We’ll keep adding layers to what we’ve been working on and I think today’s match sim was a step forward for us as we build towards next week and the season proper.”