Adelaide will be looking to extend its AFLW win streak to three this Saturday as it hosts Geelong at Unley Oval.
The day will be a big occasion for the Club, as it celebrates three-time premiership defender Sarah Allan’s 100th game, with the former Co-Captain set to become the third Crows player to achieve the milestone.
Senior Coach Ryan Davis spoke to the media ahead of the match, and touched on the following.
Confidence continues to build
The Crows enjoyed another confidence boost last Sunday, as they travelled to Hawthorn’s new facility in Dingley and produced a clinical road victory against last year’s semi finalists.
Davis was full of praise for how his team handled its business on the road, with the result serving as another step forward for the young group.
“It's great to see some reward for effort (for the girls), going down to Dingley on their scrap heap and being able to come away with a win was fantastic, what a way to spoil the party,” Davis said.
“I think the players are seeing some real growth in how we're attacking and how we're defending the ground, it's always going to be a work in progress. But the coaches are quite happy at the moment.
“Our team defense was a huge focus for us (the last two weeks), and in this last fortnight we've gone plus 24 in our last couple of games, tackle-wise, and our pressure has really lifted to the level that we expect now.
“Those two main indicators, our appetite and our mentality. There has been a massive tick up the last fortnight, so that's what we're looking to build our game off.”
Sarah Allan’s 100th game
The Club will celebrate one of its AFLW champions this weekend, as Sarah Allan notches up her 100th game.
A constant in the Crows’ defence since the competition’s inception, Allan’s accolades include three premierships, three All-Australian blazers and two seasons as the Club’s Co-Captain.
Davis spoke glowingly on Allan’s influence on the group and career to date.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for Sarah, she's an All-Australian, premiership player, former Captain of the Club. She's had herself a hell of a career, and still as down to earth as ever,” Davis said.
“She still wants to improve. Still wants feedback, and I think it just shows how good she's still becoming.
“She's been a rock for her entire time in this footy club, and a much loved member. So really looking to get our arms around her and celebrate her milestone this weekend.”
Combatting slow finishes
One area Adelaide is still working to improve is its ability to close out games, with the side yet to win a final quarter this season.
Davis said the last quarter of matches is something the group is looking into as it continues to find ways of getting better.
“We were just looking to address that in our team meeting before, we broke the players out into their groups,” Davis said.
“A few things sort of came back around the mentality of, ‘are we putting the game away’, or ‘are we still looking to attack’ and all those types of things.
“Early season fatigue, potentially still gaining that match fitness, and we're still working through a new game style as well.
“All of those things have a part to play and we’re still trying to put our finger on it at the moment.”
The threat of the Cats
Adelaide’s new game style will be well and truly put to the test this weekend, as it faces a Geelong side fresh off three straight wins.
Davis said the group respected how Geelong went about it, and would have to be at their best to come away with a win.
“They’e are a handful with their new style (of play), they're very fast up and down the ground,” Davis said.
“They've got an unbelievable midfield unit that's going to be the key to undoing them this weekend, they’ve also got stars at either end of the park, but certainly that midfield battle is going to be imperative to getting the result.”
Newman’s strong start to season 2026
Winger Maddi Newman has started the 2026 season in sparkling form, averaging 25.0 disposals, 3.8 marks per game, while kicking a goal in all four matches.
Davis put Newman’s strong form down to a standout pre-season on the track, which has excelled the confidence in her game.
“I think a really consistent, uninterrupted preseason has held her in really good stead,” Davis said.
“She's a very, very smart footballer, and so we just want to get the ball in her hands. And she can really play.
“There's a lot on her kit bag, so we really want to get the ball in her hands as she's got great penetration with her kicks.
“She's got really good vision, and she's starting to really build some long distance running, getting up and down the ground, helping our defense and attacking on the scoreboard. So yeah, she's been outstanding between the arcs for us this year.”
Adelaide takes on Geelong this Saturday afternoon, with the match to begin at 2.35pm (ACST).
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