The Adelaide Football Club has unveiled South Australian Courtney Cramey and Northern Territory-based Angela Foley as pre-signed players for the Crows team in the 2017 National Women’s League.
Arguably SA’s most prominent female footballer, 30-year-old Cramey hails from Morphettville Park Football Club and has been the SA State Women’s Captain since 2011.
She is known for her ability to win the hard ball and her sharp kicking, as well as her leadership both on and off the field.
While 27-year-old on-baller Foley, who grew up in Shepparton in country Victoria but is now based in Darwin, is a hard-working, competitive midfielder with strong athletic ability.
The two will join West Australians Chelsea Randall and Kellie Gibson who were announced as the two marquee players for the Crows team in July.
In-line with the AFL’s list build guidelines for the inaugural competition, the Crows have been granted the ability to sign Cramey and Foley ahead of the draft.
The Crows’ final playing list of 25 is likely to feature two marquee players and up-to five pre-signings, including two Rookies, with state-based drafts in October to allocate the remaining players.
Adelaide Football Club’s Head of Football David Noble said the Club was thrilled to have signed Cramey and Foley to join the inaugural Crows women’s squad.
“Courtney and Ange are both experienced players and strong leaders and we’re delighted to have them at the Crows,” Noble said.
“Courtney has been a fantastic role model for South Australia’s women’s footballers for many years. She has a great kick and a real toughness around the ball.
“Ange is also a tough player who has spent many years participating in athletics, soccer and netball as well as footy and has great athletic ability.
“Our goal is to make the Crows the club of choice for women and girls, whether as participants, administrators or fans, and Courtney and Ange are sure to be huge assets to the inaugural squad.”
Senior Coach Bec Goddard welcomed Cramey and Foley to the Crows.
“Courtney and Ange are both very talented players and we’re rapt to have them join the Club. It is another exciting step in the development of our inaugural squad,” she said.
The Crows are one of eight teams in the AFL’s National Women’s League which is scheduled to commence in February 2017.
The Crows team is in partnership with AFLNT, with a focus on combining talent and resources to ensure competitiveness on-field and drive growth and engagement across the central corridor.
Bec Goddard was on Wednesday announced as the inaugural senior coach of the squad, with Andrew Hodges named assistant coach to manage the rollout of the training program in the NT.
Courtney Cramey
Age: 30
On-baller
Plays with Morphettville Park (SA)
SA State Women’s Captain since 2011
Represented SA since 2009
Played with Western Bulldogs in 2013
Played with Melbourne 2014 & 2015
Day job: Ministerial Liaison Officer
Angela Foley
Age: 27
Midfielder
Three time premiership player with Waratah (NTFL)
Represented NT since 2015
NTFL Women’s Senior MVP 2015 and 2016
NT Thunder Women’s State Academy MVP 2015
Played with Melbourne May 2016 and will in September 2016
Day job: Teacher