Taylor Walker will lead the Crows again as the club announced his re-appointment as skipper for the 2018 AFL season.
Rory Sloane will serve as vice-captain while Tom Lynch and Matt Crouch round out a four-man leadership group. Walker captains the club for a fourth consecutive year, while the 22-year old Crouch takes on an official leadership role for the first time.
The leadership group will be supported by several smaller groups who will take responsibility for different portfolios across the football program.
Crows Head of Football Brett Burton said the new structure would expose more players to meaningful leadership duties.
“We firmly believe this approach maximises the impact and influence each individual can make to our program, but also fast tracks their leadership development,” Burton told afc.com.au.
“Ultimately, every player has a responsibility to drive the standards at our club so we can give ourselves the best chance of success.”
Senior Coach Don Pyke had praise for the four players who were chosen to lead the club in 2018.
“All members of our leadership group were recognised for their ability to live our values and behaviours, drive standards and maintain a consistent level of performance, both on and off the field,” Pyke said.
“Taylor, Rory and Tom set a great example last season and have taken it to a new level with their engagement and leadership this pre-season.
“Matt is the youngest member of the group and his elevation reinforces the progress he has made in the past couple of years and allows us to build one of our younger leaders.”
Walker, judged by his peers as the AFL’s best skipper for the past two years, is excited to lead the club in 2018.
“I enjoy the responsibility of being captain. I have a lot of faith in this playing group and look forward to seeing what we can achieve this season,” he said.
