ADELAIDE hasn't given up hope of having AFLW superstar Erin Phillips return from a knee reconstruction for its premiership defence in 2020.
The 34-year-old midfielder/forward is on the comeback trail after tearing her ACL in this year's Grand Final victory against Carlton in front of a capacity crowd of more than 53,000 at Adelaide Oval.
Crows coach Matthew Clarke said Phillips – a two-time AFLW best and fairest in 2017 and 2019 – was doing everything she could to get back on the park next year.
"She's going really well," Clarke said on Monday.
"She's six months into her recovery.
"She's an amazingly committed and dedicated athlete, so if anyone will get back, it will be her.
"But equally, it's a big injury she's coming back from, so we'll wait and see."
The Crows also have ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe and forward Chloe Scheer recovering from torn ACLs.
Metcalfe injured her knee during a pre-season game against Fremantle in January, while Scheer went down in the Grand Final.
"We're hopeful on both fronts, but equally, until the knees are 100 per cent, we won't put them out there and risk them," Clarke said.
"The main emphasis on all of our players is the long-term wellbeing.
"We're confident if we do everything right, they'll be a chance to play next season."
The Crows have already placed midfielder Hannah Martin on the inactive list after she tore her ACL playing for the NT Thunder in the VFLW this year.
The Crows are looking to add to their depth with their eight selections at the NAB AFLW Draft on Tuesday.
"We want to have some young talent coming through, but there probably is a gap in our list profile in terms of that middle band of age player," Clarke said.
"We've got a few over 30s and we've got some exciting young talent, but there probably is a little gap.
"The SANFLW allows us to address that and balances out the list a little bit."
The Crows are expected to take former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Courtney Gum, who will come out of retirement, while forward Ruth Wallace returns after sitting out last season.
