Eddie and Pods like two new coaches

Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly are like two new coaches, says Adelaide's acting co-captains. Picture: Sam Wundke Source: News Limited

ACTING Adelaide co-captains Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane have described the recruitment of free agents Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly as having two additional coaches as the club sets up a tilt at the 2014 finals.

Dangerfield, who will share the skipper's duties with Rory Sloane until Nathan van Berlo returns from season-threatening Achilles surgery, said the high-profile forwards had been invaluable over summer.

Both of them have impressive runs on the board: Podsiadly was the leading goalkicker at Geelong in 2011 while Betts was Carlton's most prolific in both 2010 and 2012.

What had impressed Dangerfield more than the pair's talents was how quickly they had been able to acclimatise and become important voices at training.

There is little surprise Podsiadly fits that description: he worked as a fitness coach at Geelong before being whistled up as a late recruit from the club's VFL ranks.

But Betts, a lively little forward with a quick smile and a funny line, has been similarly influential and proved to be somebody with vast insights he is keen to share with his new teammates..

"I think Rory would be the same,'' Dangerfield said.

"We can't speak highly enough of how they've integrated themselves from a different system into ours.

"It's been outstanding.

"Eddie's been brilliant and Pods, it's like he's been here for 10 years.''

Sloane and Dangerfield will bring different qualities to the captaincy as van Berlo recovers: Sloane will act as the motivator while Dangerfield is the one who leads with his match-changing ways.

But the assistance of van Berlo, Podsiadly and Betts will be pivotal to their stand-in captaincy.

Ask Sloane about the impact of Betts, who grew up as a Crows supporter in Port Lincoln, and Sloane could not be clearer.

"They've both bought into to where we want to go,'' Sloane said.

"Straight away, they're both having input with the younger guys.

``Eddie's doing an amazing job working with some young guys already.

``And Pods is spending heaps of time working with guys like `Shaunie Mac' (Shaun McKernan), Josh Jenkins, and Taylor (Walker).

``Having those guys come in, bit more senior players, also provide a bit of coaching for our younger guys coming through.''

Dangerfield and Sloane's assessment of Betts and Podsiadly come as Taylor Walker, the club's most important forward, cast his support behind the stand-in captains after joining the leadership group.

Walker spent most of last year on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, but remained a constant presence around the club in what was a difficult year for the Crows.

From the outside, he is seen as a character who shoots from the hip. Social media doesn't disprove that notion. But those inside the club speak of a different side to Walker, one who is as dedicated to his recovery as he is to his teammates.

"We want to get back to playing consistent and competitive footy, and finals footy is where we should be," Walker said.

"Over the past few years, 'Sloaney' and 'Danger' have showed what they can do both on and off the field.

"We've got a great group of leaders but also great people around those leaders, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what those boys can do."

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