ADELAIDE women's coach Bec Goddard gave her players homework to complete over the festive period. It was part of her plan to have them ace their first 'exam' – their opening NAB AFL Women's competition match.

"Aside from their training plans, they were given some football stuff they needed to learn over the break," Goddard said.

"The girls were keen, and that's what you want to see."

The Crows are in the unique situation of having players based in both Adelaide and Darwin as part of a partnership with AFL Northern Territory.

It means that while players are on the same training programs, the time they have together as a group is limited.

Goddard brought them together for the first time during a weekend-long camp in Adelaide in early December. 

The players will take part in another camp in Darwin based around a practice match against Fremantle on January 14.

The Crows' opening AFLW competition match is against Greater Western Sydney, at Thebarton Oval in Adelaide on February 4. 

The squad's preparation included a series of internal trial matches during the Adelaide camp.

"We tried a lot of different positions for everybody during one game and it was a pretty high-scoring affair," Goddard said.

"Whether that was because it was 16-a-side and the game's a lot more open, I'm not sure.

"Game two on was a lot more contested and the players were a bit more physically aggressive."

Goddard also gave players an opportunity to set the tone for the way they want to play.

"They decided on their trademarks and how they want to be remembered," she said. 

"It's one thing for me to have my beliefs and my values and my morals, but I can't force that on to a playing group. 

"They've got to want something themselves, so they came up with a number of values."

Along with the 27 players on their list, the Crows have top-up players in Adelaide and Darwin who take part in training.

The top-up players who nominated for the draft can be elevated if there are long-term injuries.

However, others, like 16-year-old prodigy Chloe Scheer, are getting a taste of the elite level before making the leap in the future.

Scheer was the best and fairest in both the SAWFL under-18s and the division one competition last season for the Modbury Hawks.

"Unfortunately I'm not allowed to alter birth certificates," Goddard said with a laugh.

"Chloe particularly stood out in day two of our camp at the intra-club game.

"She's got an amazing future ahead of her and we're lucky to have her in South Australia."