The Adelaide Crows have appointed Ryan Davis as the club’s new women’s senior coach.

The arrival of Davis, a former AFL-listed West Coast and Gold Coast player, follows the departure of two-time premiership-winning mentor Matthew Clarke at the conclusion of this season.

Adelaide managed to poach the 36-year-old from grand finalists Brisbane, where he had been a midfield assistant under Craig Starcevich for the past two seasons.

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Davis, who also served as Southport’s women’s coach from 2020-22 and led the Sharks to two QAFAW premierships, played 35 AFL games for the Eagles and Suns between 2008-17.

The Crows’ hiring of Davis was a culmination of a months-long search after Clarke — set to coach Glenelg in the SANFL in 2026 — announced in April he would be stepping away from the role.

“We are really proud of what our AFLW program has been able to achieve over the years and enter a new era firmly believing Ryan can guide us to more success,” Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said.

“He has a proven record of developing talent and fostering and being involved in environments where players, coaches and staff get the best out of themselves.

“He’s also passionate about women’s footy and has a clear vision for our program’s future.”

Davis said he was hoping to continue the Crows’ track record of dominance in the women’s competition, with the club winning three premierships since the inaugural 2017 season.

“It’s clearly been a very successful program, and my job is to try and do everything I can to enhance it further and bring positive results on and off the field,” Davis said.

“I will bring an enthusiasm and love for the game, partnered with high playing and training standards, where we will consistently be striving to get better.

“We will demand the best from each other to make sure we maximise our talent and potential, both individually and collectively.

“We can’t wait to move to Adelaide and for me to get my teeth stuck into the work ahead.”

The Crows’ season ended in the semi-final when they were bested by Melbourne by 11 points after finishing the regular season sixth.