Newly re-signed vice captain Rory Sloane should be promoted to captain of the Adelaide Crows, argues Kane Cornes.
“With Sloane committed to Adelaide until the end of 2023, it’s time for him to take over as captain next year,” Kane writes in The Advertiser.
“Taylor Walker has done a stellar job leading the club for the past four seasons but has struggled on and off the field since the club’s 48-point loss to Richmond at the MCG in last year’s grand final.
“Sloane’s appointment as captain would be similar to when Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge took over from 2008 premiership captain Sam Mitchell at the end of 2010…
“It wouldn’t be the first time the Adelaide Football Club have released a player from the captaincy to focus on their fitness and form.
“Adelaide legend Mark Ricciuto took over as Crows captain from two-time premiership winning skipper Mark Bickley in 2001.
“Bickley selflessly stepped aside as he knew Ricciuto, aged 26 at the time, was ready.
“Bickley was able to work seamlessly alongside his new captain and went on to play 67 games over three seasons at a high standard before retiring in 2003.
“Sloane has never stated publicly his desire to captain the club but you would think the opportunity to lead one of the AFL’s biggest clubs would be appealing.”
Port’s horror day, skipper Sloane, Buddy’s 900th, Ebert lost, rampant Rat, players taking over plus more in today’s @TheTiserSport https://t.co/BTyHN232vg
— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) July 16, 2018
