The AFLW season is set to start this weekend during the pre finals bye of the men’s competition and the South East has good representation at the Adelaide Crows.
Former East Gambier player Brooke Tonon (pictured) will be playing for the Crows in her third season at the club.
Tonon has played 10 games in her first two seasons as a medium defender and will be hoping to be a part of a successful season for the Crows.
The young star was picked in the 2021 draft after a successful season at Glenelg which saw her win an SANFLW premiership and named in the SANFLW team of the year.
Tonon will be joined in representing the region by the Allan Sisters, Jessica and Sarah.
The Allans are from Millicent and Beachport having played junior footy at Hatherleigh.
Jessica has rejoined the Adelaide Crows after a brief stint at Greater Western Sydney, which saw her play 14 games with her spending a great deal of time on the inactive list due to her intensive training for the Australian Army.
But now required back in Adelaide by the Army, Allan was traded back to the Crows during the off season.
Allan plays as a ruck and will be a good fit in the Adelaide side.
Sister Sarah has been a star for Adelaide in her seven seasons at the club, playing as a defender Allan has served a crucial role in the Crows’ three premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Allan is the Crows vice captain and is also a three time All-Australian being named in the team in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Unfortunately for the Crows and Allan she will miss at least eight weeks after suffering a hamstring injury at training.
The star had scans which revealed a significant hamstring tear, however she will not require surgery and has started rehabilitation.
“It’s obviously really disappointing for Sarah and also the team to lose our vice captain for most of the season however, we are confident she will return at an important time of the season,” Crows Head of Women’s Football Phil Harper said.
“While on the sidelines, Sarah is and will continue to be a great leader for our group and play an important role for our team.
“We know how professional she is, and she will work closely with our medical team to get back as soon as possible, while it presents an opportunity for another of our defenders to step up.”
However once she returns she’ll be an important player for the club as it nears finals time.
Also coaching the side is former South East resident Matthew Clarke who played more than 250 AFL games including over 100 for the Adelaide Crows.
The team leader also played for Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions during his AFL career.
Clarke grew up in Mount Gambier playing football for West Gambier and his sporting prowess was not restricted to football, having played 15 games for the Mount Gambier Pioneers over two seasons.
Clarke has been coaching the AFLW side since 2019 leading the side to two premierships in 2019 and 2022.
