Dangerfield, Sloane to lead Crows

Crows training at Max Basheer Reserve. Patrick Dangerfield under the watchful eye of Brenton Sanderson. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

PATRICK Dangerfield and Rory Sloane will share the on-field captaincy duties at Adelaide while Nathan van Berlo is sidelined with an achilles injury.

But the Crows announced this morning van Berlo will remain captain of the club for a fourth season because he is still the "standout leader" in the playing group.

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"After comprehensive discussions in which we assessed all the options, we were unanimous in our decision that 'VB' is the best leader of our footy club," coach Brenton Sanderson told afc.com.au.

Van Berlo earlier in the year winning the Crows' time trial. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

"We'd reached that decision prior to VB getting injured and even after he was injured, we thought he could still do a fantastic job in leading the club off the field. In the best case scenario, hopefully we get him back mid-season anyway.

"Nathan is the standout leader at the moment and the best person to captain our club."

Adelaide announced a seven-man leadership group of van Berlo, Dangerfield, Sloane, Scott Thompson, Sam Jacobs and new faces Richard Douglas and Taylor Walker.

Sloane during a training session at Max Basheer Reserve. Picture: Sam Wundke. Source: News Limited

Jason Porplyzia was the only omission from last year's six man group.

The decision to appoint Dangerfield and Sloane as co vice captains reflects the growing regard in which Sloane is held at West Lakes.

Dangerfield is the popular pick to replace van Berlo down the track and served as deputy vice captain last season.

But it now looks like a two horse race with best and fairest winner Sloane.

"Patrick and Rory are both developing into outstanding leaders," Sanderson said.

"They've exhibited an enormous amount of great leadership in the two years I've been at the club and they've gone to another level again this summer. We feel they'll do a fantastic job as acting captains, with the assistance of Nathan while he's on the sidelines.

"If there's any silver lining in Nathan's injury, it's that these two 23-year-olds get exposed to on-field captaincy roles, perhaps, a bit earlier than they otherwise would have."

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