ADELAIDE might have found a new star forward in Stevie-Lee Thompson, with the ex-defender helping silence questions about the team's goalkicking skills as it prepares for an important clash against Geelong on Sunday.
Thompson booted four goals against Carlton last Sunday to propel the Crows to an impressive come-from-behind 13-point win over Carlton at IKON Park.
Adelaide finished with 9.3 (57), a vast improvement on the 1.11 (17) it posted in the opening-round loss to the Western Bulldogs at home.
Thompson became the third Crow to kick four goals in an AFLW match. Sarah Perkins (round seven in 2017 against Collingwood and Erin Phillips (round three last year versus the Bulldogs) are the other two.
The speedy 26-year-old had a day out against the Blues, finishing with 17 disposals, 11 kicks and six inside 50s. She received a combined nine votes from the two coaches (10 is the maximum) in the AFLCA AFLW Champion Player of the Year award.
Carlton controlled the first half and at one stage in the third quarter led by 17 points, but a Thompson goal in the term helped swing the momentum her team's way.
Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke was impressed with Thompson's efforts.
"Stevie-Lee played really well…(she) played a great game," Clarke said.
Thompson wasn't willing to take too much credit for the comeback win, insisting it was a collective approach that allowed the Crows to overrun the Blues.
"It was a team effort the whole way. It was the girls getting that ball inside 50 … anyone would have got those goals," she said after the win.
Thompson, a former touch footballer, was taken at pick 106 in the 2016 NAB AFLW Draft after her first year of footy in the AFLNT competition in Darwin.
Thompson spent most of her first two seasons with the Crows playing across half-back and on the wing, with her speed and evasive skills making her ideal for those roles. She featured in the Crows' 2017 premiership team.
"It doesn't matter where I play, as long as I'm on that field," she said.
Adelaide is back at Norwood Oval on Sunday to face new club Geelong, a prospect Thompson said the team was looking forward to.
"Going out there and playing a new team makes it that much more challenging."