Adelaide began its 2026 AFLW season with a tight eight-point loss against Sydney at Unley Oval on Sunday afternoon. 

The Crows sported a new-look team, and led for much of the day, but were ultimately unable to curtail the fast-finishing Swans as they fell 9.7 (61) to 7.11 (53). 

Senior Coach Ryan Davis spoke to the media after the match, and delivered five key takeaways. 

Crows outplayed in pivotal last quarter

Adelaide led the Swans at every change on Sunday afternoon, but was unable to match the visitors’ intensity in the last quarter, as they came from behind to win by eight points.

The Crows were kept scoreless in the final term, as Sydney dominated field position, and booted three critical majors. 

“It was a disappointing loss in the end, but I think Sydney’s pressure, certainly in that last quarter, was very impressive and they got on top of us with their contest and outnumber,” Davis said. 

“They were tougher for longer in the end and that decided the game.”

Bown impresses on debut

Adelaide unleashed top five draft pick Chloe Bown in its season opener, and the 18-year-old impressed in her first AFLW outing. 

Playing across half-forward, Bown was able to find plenty of the ball and set up a lot of the Crows’ promising scoring passages. 

Finishing her AFLW debut with 18 disposals and eight score involvements, Davis was impressed by what he saw. 

“Her workrate since coming to the Club has been a real strength, and she did not look out of place out there today,” Davis said.

“It would have been nice for her to finish with a couple of snags there, but it was a very positive performance on debut.” 

New game style a “work in progress”

The Crows produced periods of exciting passages of play throughout their season opener, booting six first-half majors on the back of quick ball movement. 

But they were unable to maintain their best for the entire match, as a scoreless fourth quarter ultimately cost them the four points. 

Despite the result, Davis was positive about what his new-look produced in its first outing. 

“I think we started outstanding today, a lot of the stuff we had been practicing in the pre-season showed out (in the first half),” Davis said. 

“You saw some of our draftees and debutants have some super important moments which was fantastic. 

“Overall though, it’s just going to be a work in progress for us and we’ll continue to build on the game style we want, we obviously won’t get it right for four quarters every week, but we’ll build on what we produced today.

“We’re very positive at the footy club, we know this brand we’re trying to play will hold up in big games, we just need to continue to get to work.” 

Experience and youth shine in Crows midfield

A mix of experience and youth made up the Crows’ on-ball brigade on Sunday afternoon, with Skipper Ebony Marinoff leading from the front and the emerging Sarah Goodwin shining with increased midfield minutes. 

Marinoff was the leading ball-winner on the ground with 27 disposals, while Goodwin was the next best with 25. 

Davis sung the praises of his on-ball duo. 

“Ebony’s a gem, she’s a contested bull and her go forward all-game was imperative in keeping us in the game - she’s a star,” Davis said. 

“Sarah’s had a really good pre-season, she played a lot of midfield last year, but she’s continuing to grow in that space and she’s going to get better and better each week.”

Jones’ role-change

Renowned for her mercurial skills around the goals for much of her career, Crows Vice Captain Eloise Jones was deployed in a new role across half-back to begin her tenth AFLW season. 

The 27-year-old was a calming influence behind the ball for her team, and impressed her new coach in the role. 

“As mercurial as EJ is up forward, having the ball in her hand is really good for us, and her ability to read the play is outstanding,” Davis said. 

“Early in the game she was really pivotal for us in mounting some offensive attacks off half-back.”