Source : ABC NEWS
Adelaide Crows star Chelsea Randall has announced her retirement from the AFLW, with the club citing concussion as a major factor in her decision.
The three-time premiership player was an inaugural AFLW participant and played 80 games for the Crows, whom she captained for eight seasons, but missed the 2021 grand final because of concussion.
In a statement, the club said the 35-year-old’s decision had been prompted by “issues related to concussion”, and came after “regular consultation with the club doctor, independent specialists and the AFL”.
At a media conference, Randall elaborated on her decision, and at times became emotional as she reflected on the prospect of having to give up the game she loved.
She said the final straw had been the experience of starry vision following a recent training drill.
“A few weeks ago I joined in a tackle drill at training and experienced some starry vision after a couple of minor bumps, and then shortly after that I had another incident involving mild contact and more starry vision,” she said.
“It was at that point that it became clear that my brain and body could no longer withstand minor bumps without experiencing issues related to concussion.
“After consultation with my club doctor, the AFL and specialists, they formed a recommendation for me to retire.
“I have no choice but to make the safest decision for my health and for my family, so it is with great sadness that I retire from football.”
Chelsea Randall was ruled out of the AFLW grand final in 2021 because of concussion. (AAP: Matt Turner)
Among Randall’s on-field accomplishments are five-time All-Australian selection, including as captain in 2018 — the same season that she was named Crows club champion.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Adelaide footy club for supporting me on and off the field for the past 10 seasons,” she said.
“The club has helped shape me into the person I am today, and when I first came to the club it felt almost unbelievable that there would be an AFLW competition. To play for the Crows was an opportunity I still pinch myself about.”
Randall’s retirement comes as the ABC’s Four Corners program has reported that dozens of Australian Rules players, including 19 professional and semi-professional footballers, have been diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Randall missed out on the 2021 grand final after colliding heavily with Melbourne’s Eliza McNamara during the preliminary final — an incident that put concussion in women’s sport under the spotlight.
She suffered other concussions earlier in the same season, as well as in 2025, and she also received a serious head knock during a game in 2018.
After praising the club and her teammates, Randall thanked her family for their “constant love and support”, and received a round of applause at the end of her statement.
“All I ever wanted was to make you guys proud and leave the club and the competition in a better place,” she said.
Chelsea Randall, pictured during a game against Melbourne in 2022, has announced her retirement from the AFLW. (Getty Images: AFL Photos / Dylan Burns)
Crows executive general manager AFLW Bree Brock described Randall as a “leader and champion of the game” whose career had served as a testament to “courage, resilience and elite ability”.
“Chelsea has consistently set the standard through her actions,” Brock said.
“When Chelsea arrived at the Crows ahead of the inaugural AFLW season in 2017, there were 2,741 women and girls registered to play football in South Australia.
“Today, that number has surged to 11,822 and Chelsea’s trailblazing role in growing the game across our state, as well as her lasting influence, should never be underestimated.”
