Adelaide has finalised its coaching panel for the 2021 AFLW season, with current Crows forward Tom Lynch taking on an assistant role.

Lynch, a member of Adelaide’s men’s leadership group, has played 152 AFL games and will transfer that experience to oversee the Crows’ AFLW forward line.

He will be joined by former Club great Scott Thompson who will provide support in a midfield coaching role.

Two-time Club Champion Thompson played 308 AFL games across 17 seasons and previously served as a midfield development coach at Port Adelaide.

Lynch and Thompson join head coach Matthew Clarke and assistant coaches Peter Caven and Narelle Smith.

Caven will oversee the team’s defence again, while Smith will mentor the midfield after previously serving as a forwards coach.

Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said it was fantastic to add significant experience to the AFLW coaching group.

“To have a current player in Tom and a past champion in Scott both put their hand up and offer to assist will be a terrific boost for our AFLW team and will further strengthen our one club, three teams mantra,” Harper said.

“It will be hugely beneficial having a current AFL player on staff as Tom will be up-to-date on current trends, game analysis and the requirements of a current AFL/W players, while Scott will be a great mentor for our midfielders after being a development coach at Port.

“We are also very pleased to welcome back Cavo (Caven) and Narelle, who have been terrific support to Doc (Clarke) over the past two years.

“Unfortunately, Andrew McLeod’s commitments mean he is unable to assist again this year, but his input with our players and the team in general over the past two seasons has been invaluable and we thank him for all his efforts.”

The team is currently training three times a week at the Club’s West Lakes headquarters.