Adelaide young gun Chloe Bown was named the Round 10 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominee following a prolific performance against Gold Coast at Unley Oval on Saturday.

The 18-year-old collected a career-high 25 disposals (17 contested), four inside-50s, six tackles, nine clearances and kicked a goal, which sealed the Crows’ win.

Bown spoke to the media on Tuesday and touched on what it means to be recognised as a Rising Star nominee, the catalyst behind her strong first-year form, the friendship with Skipper and housemate, Ebony Marinoff and more.

On earning a Rising Star nom

Bown’s Round 10 Rising Star nomination had been a culmination of a solid first season as a Crow..

Prior to the weekend’s win against the Suns, Bown had averaged 14,1 disposals across nine games, and recorded 23 disposals, four marks, six tackles and nine clearances the week before against Richmond.

Bown said she was pleased her hard work was beginning to pay off and proud to receive a Rising Star nomination.

“The last nine weeks have been pretty amazing,” Bown said.

“The girls who have (been named as Rising Stars) this year have been killing it.

”But it’s pretty special to get it now.”

Catalyst behind her strong first-year form

Bown was a highly-touted junior, following a stellar underage career that included being named captain of last year’s under-18 All-Australian side.

Bown, a former Oakleigh Chargers product selected with Pick No. 5 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, has impressed since her move into the midfield after spending much of the early part of the season up forward.

She said the support of her teammates, coupled with a strong work ethic and willingness to keep learning, had been key factors in her transition to the top level.

“I think probably one of the things has just been how welcoming all the girls have been,” Bown said.

“Ever since I came in, they just wrapped their arms around me and all the younger girls, (and) that helps to play as confidently as you can.

“Then also just working hard in pre-season and during the season.

“There's a lot of things to work on and a lot of things to learn.”

Living with the Skipper

After relocating from Melbourne to Adelaide upon being drafted to the Crows, Bown moved in with Captain Ebony Marinoff, who quickly took the youngster under her wing.

Bown said sharing a home with Marinoff had provided a firsthand look at the professionalism and standards required to succeed at the elite level.

“I have learned a lot - one thing she's very neat, so the house is always spotless,” Bown said.

“Just the way she goes about off the field, like her sleep, her recovery, what she eats, you can see why she's one of the best.

“It’s (living with her) been really special. Right from the start - she's like all the girls - but she’s really made an effort with me.

“The friendship has grown, and it's been so nice to have someone older as kind of just a really close friend.”

The arrangement hasn't been entirely one-sided, though, with Bown helping Marinoff sharpen her TikTok skills away from the field.

And when asked about Marinoff’s TikTok dancing game, Bown said “it’s coming along… I think.”

Transition into a bonafide midfielder

Bown played much of her juniors in the midfield but spent the early part of her first campaign as a Crow working on her craft as a forward.

She has since earned a place within the Crows’ on-ball brigade and has thrived learning off others, including Marinoff.

Bown said it took a little bit to adapt to the speed and physicality of playing at the highest level but a permanent move into the midfield was always the goal.

“I think in general, just how fast the game is, and then also just the physicality, how strong all the girls were,” Bown said.

“That was probably a focus (coming in), then playing and training like that was a big step up. 

“I played forward, so I probably expected coming in and not going straight into the midfield where I played juniors.

“I learnt a lot in the forward line to be able to go into the mid now has been a really cool experience.”

Crows keen for top-teams challenge in final two rounds

Adelaide sits just outside the top eight on percentage with two minor rounds remaining.

The challenge, however, doesn’t get any tougher with matches against reigning premier North Melbourne in Hobart, before a clash against third-placed Melbourne at Unley Oval.

Bown said the victory against top-four hopeful Gold Coast on the weekend had given players a confidence boost and belief they could beat any team at their best.

“I think our next two games are going to be a challenge, but we're up for it,” Bown said.

“The Gold Coast game was a step in the right direction, and we knew that was a really important game for our season to keep finals alive. 

“We really focused on our defence in that game (against the Suns) because we knew they are a fast team.

“We’ll try to bring that into the North game because they’re also a fast team and very skilful.”

Adelaide faces North Melbourne at North Hobart Oval on Sunday, October 25, at 12.35pm.

The game will be broadcast live on 7TwoAdelaide, Fox Footy and Kayo.