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Van Berlo skipper again

Van Berlo Crows skipper again

02/08/2012 11:31:33 PM

Adelaide have confirmed Nathan van Berlo will captain them for a second season after they announced their 2012 five-man leadership group on Thursday.

Van Berlo, 25, became the Crows' youngest ever captain last season following the retirement of champion Simon Goodwin at the end of 2010.

Midfield powerhouse Scott Thompson has been named Adelaide's vice-captain this year and experienced defender Ben Rutten will serve as the club's deputy vice-captain.

Impressive youngsters Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane fill the other two spots in the leadership group which were vacated by Michael Doughty and the retired Scott Stevens.

New coach Brenton Sanderson said van Berlo was the obvious choice as the Crows on-field leader.

"Scott Thompson and Ben Rutten are fantastic servants and are really loyal to the club and the culture of the group, but VB (van Berlo) is just the standout," Sanderson told Adelaide's official website.

"When you're inside the club and you see how he trains and the way he goes about his life, he's clearly the perfect choice as the captain of our footy club."

"He's someone the players admire and I think he'll be captain of the footy club for a few more years to come."

Sanderson explained that Dangerfield and Sloane, who are both only 21, were included in the leadership group because they have displayed maturity beyond their years over the pre-season.

"Paddy and Rory have both had fantastic summers. They've showed not only to the new coaches who have come into the group, but to the existing coaches that they're more than ready to be in the leadership group," he said.

"They've really stood out as the players that are ready to take that step."

"They can obviously both have an impact on match day with the way they play, but they also show a lot of empathy particularly towards the younger group of guys."

"We have a young list and Paddy and Sloaney just have such a good connection with the group."

"They'll also challenge the older guys in the group with some new ideas about where the club might be heading from a cultural point of view."

"I think they'll be perfect fits for those roles."

Adelaide have also named an 'emerging leaders' group which will consist of Bernie Vince, Richard Douglas, Kurt Tippett, Sam Jacobs, David Mackay and Jared Petrenko.

This group, which sits below the leadership group, will be monitored by Doughty.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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