WHEN nine players in your inaugural playing squad are based at the other end of the country, how do you keep in touch? FaceTime, of course.
Adelaide's AFL Women's squad started pre-season training on Monday night in two locations, but with the same goal.
The majority ran out with coach Bec Goddard at Football Park at the Crows' headquarters at West Lakes.
At the same time, assistant coaches Andrew Hodges and Colleen Gwynne oversaw a training session in Darwin with the nine players who are based in the Northern Territory.
The Crows submitted a joint bid with AFL NT for their women's licence and are scheduled to play one of their home games in the Top End next year.
It's a unique situation, but one Crows marquee player Chelsea Randall says can work.
"That's the challenging part and the exciting part of it," Randall said on Monday afternoon during a joint press conference with Jake Lever.
"We have referred to it as like an arranged marriage. We've got half our group up there and we bring everyone together on game day.
"We've been 'FaceTiming' each other and we had our AFL induction the other week where we got to meet everyone officially, which was really nice."
Randall, 25, has already captained Western Australia and is a multiple All Australian. Earlier this year, she was recognised by the AFL for her contribution to community football in Western Australia with the Jill Lindsay scholarship award.
She said it was important the Crows hit the ground running during pre-season training, with only a couple months before the start of the competition in the first week of February.
"It's just about getting our heads down, trying to beat the heat and be one as a group," Randall said.
"We've got an excellent group of people – an incredible coaching group as well as a playing group.
"I have no doubt we'll be a really competitive side for next year and really look forward to what we can show."