Veteran AFLW Crows Sophie Li and Courtney Gum have announced their retirement from elite level football.

Li, 32, has spent the past two years with the Crows after a debut AFLW season with Carlton in 2018.

The talented midfielder won a Premiership with the Club in 2019 after returning to SA to recommence work as a paramedic.

“I feel like I’m ready to get back to normal life a little bit and have a better work-life balance,” Li said.

“I’m also ready to pass the opportunity to play on to the next person.

“I feel good about it, very satisfied… it was such a privilege to play for the Crows and I’ll definitely miss it.”

Sophie Li after Adelaide's 2019 AFLW Grand Final win. Picture: AFL Photos

Teammate and former GWS star Courtney Gum will also call time on her career after a one-year stint in Adelaide.

Gum had planned to retire following the 2019 season, but a late phone call from Crows AFLW coach Matthew Clarke convinced her to play one more year.

In her debut season with GWS in 2018, Gum was named All Australian and won the AFL Players’ Association MVP award.

She also won a SANFLW Premiership with South Adelaide, capping off an excellent 2018.

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with the family, we’ve been going on lots of rides, my son has started martial arts… and also working on my business,” Gum said.

“I’ll miss the camaraderie, and I’ll also miss doing something at an elite level. I really enjoyed the standards around training and the competitiveness. I really loved that.

“Lots to miss, but at the same time, so much to look forward to.”

Adelaide AFLW coach Matthew Clarke said the Crows were lucky to have Li and Gum in the team.

“Sophie is such a great person, so well-liked and respected around the Club,” Clarke said.

“And Courtney… we missed her in the original intake of Crows and she went and played outstanding AFLW football for GWS. It was a shame we didn’t get access to her earlier.

“Both have also been really influential in helping the younger players, not only on-field through leadership but also developing the next wave of Crows players.

“Courtney and Sophie will always be part of the Crows family.”