Updated May 23, 2017 14:32:05

Photo: Erin Phillips had a massive first year in the AFLW with the Adelaide Crows. (AAP: Tracey Nearmy)

AFLW best and fairest and club champion Erin Phillips will return to the Adelaide Crows for the 2018 season.

Phillips, 32, was co-captain of the club during the league's inaugural season and helped the side to a premiership win.

She also took out the highest individual honour at both the club and league level and was voted the Players Association's Most Valuable Player.

The former basketballer was recently dropped by her WNBA team, the Dallas Wings, and subsequently announced her retirement from the sport.

But she said as well as playing for the Adelaide Crows next season, she would remain with the Dallas Wings in a new role as director of player and franchise development.

She has also taken on a role with the AFLW beyond the field undertaking off-field marketing and commercial activities to promote the game for both the club and the league.

"Last season was truly a dream come true, so to be able to stay at Adelaide is fantastic. I really couldn't imagine playing with any other team," Phillips said.

Phillips made a remarkable return to football this year after a 17-year absence and among her other achievements she claimed the AFLW's goal of the year award.

Her father was a successful premiership player in the SANFL.

"Having grown up in a sporting family watching dad play football, it's definitely always been something I wanted to do, so I was extremely grateful to have the opportunity and I can't wait to pull the boots on again," Phillips said.

"With my retirement from playing in the WNBA, I'm looking forward to giving my body a rest and spending time with my family in Dallas before returning to Australia refreshed and ready to take on the second season of the AFLW."

Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan said re-signing Phillips was a huge coup for the club.

"During her first season she had an immense impact on the competition, both on and off the field," he said.

"She's a fantastic leader who brings years of experience as a professional athlete at the highest level."

Photo: Erin Phillips (right) helped lead the side to a premiership win alongside co-captain Chelsea Randall and coach Bec Goddard. (AAP: Dan Peled)

Topics: australian-football-league, basketball, sport, adelaide-5000, sa

First posted May 23, 2017 12:41:05