Crows' Clarke steps down as ruck coach to focus on AFLW

Matthew Clarke has stepped down as Adelaide's AFL ruck coach to focus on his AFLW head coach role. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Matthew Clarke has stepped down as Adelaide's AFL ruck coach to focus solely on coaching the club's women's team.

Clarke had been performing dual roles as the men's ruck coach and women's head coach since the AFLW's inception in 2017.

The 50-year-old, a dual AFLW premiership coach, has now relinquished his role with the men's team which he held for the past 15 years.

The Crows' AFLW coach Matthew Clarke chats to his team during a break against the Brisbane Lions. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)

Adelaide have appointed Sam Baulderstone as the men's ruck coach.

Baulderstone was regarded as among the SANFL's finest ruckmen during a 137-game career at Norwood which featured two flags.

Since retiring in 2020, Baulderstone has worked for the past two years as midfield coach of reigning SANFL premiers Glenelg.

Adelaide's head of football Adam Kelly said Baulderstone's appointment would enable Clarke, a qualified veterinarian nicknamed Doc, to shift his year-round focus to the AFLW program.

"The appointment comes as a result of the increasing demands on our AFLW head coach, Doc Clarke, and his dedication to that role," Kelly said.