Club Captains

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Kangaroo Island native Brad Crabb will captain South Adelaide for the second year in succession after being voted in by his peers for season 2016.

The reliable defender was again elected by his team-mates as the best man to guide the Panthers into battle after the club again employed Leading Teams consultant Daniel Healy.

Magarey Medallist Joel Cross, former Magpie Matt Rose and persistent backman Tarak Redigolo will act as joint vice-captains while wingman Adam Gulden and star midfielder Nick Liddle round out the six-man leadership group.

“South Adelaide has had some great leaders in the past and it really is a privilege to be acknowledged with that sort of company and be handed that level of responsibility,’’ Crabb said.

“It’s definitely special to have the backing of the rest of the playing group. To know that everyone is behind you and supporting you in your role gives you a real sense of confidence on and off the field.”

South coach Brad Gotch revealed Crabb was the overwhelming favourite when it came to selecting a leader for 2016.

“Brad is the player we believe best lived the trademarks we set for ourselves as a team throughout the pre-season,’’ Gotch said.

‘’He definitely led by example with the way he trains, putting in the time and the hours that he had to and his communication, direction and encouragement on the track was great.

“He was the clear standout when it came to deciding on the captain amongst the playing group and coaches. He was an excellent leader for us last season and we have full confidence in him to do so again in 2016.”

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Triple premiership defender Jace Bode has joined fellow backman Alex Georgiou as the captain of the Norwood Football Club for 2016.

Bode, who has been a regular fixture of the Redlegs’ leadership group, was voted in by his peers to share the load carried by Georgiou.

The left-footer said he was honoured to be given the nod, particularly given his family history associated with The Parade.

‘’I am really humbled to have been given this honour, to captain the Club I grew up supporting and the club my father played for,’’ said Bode, who also played in the AFL with Melbourne.

‘’I’m really looking forward to my partnership with Alex as we develop and refine our leadership roles.”

Norwood coach Ben Warren noted that Bode and Georgiou’s leadership styles complemented each other, with the former providing plenty of vocal, on-field guidance on game day.

‘’They are two very different leaders who both share a great passion for the Norwood Football Club,’’ Warren said.‘

’Alex and Jace have both set great standards for their team mates and I am sure they will complement each other really well.”

Bode and Georgiou are joined in the 2016 leadership group by Ben Jefferies, Tim Webber and Matthew Panos, with the five-man team boasting a staggering 12 premierships between them as well as more than 400 games experience.

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New North Adelaide captain Mitch Clisby has revealed being a captain has always been on his agenda after being appointed the Roosters skipper for 2016.

Last year’s deputy vice-captain isn’t afraid to provide honest and direct feedback to his team-mates both on and off the field.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 26-year-old is determined to lead a Rooster Revival after the club’s shock wooden spoon in 2015.

Originally from Broken Hill in the far west of New South Wales, Clisby spoke of his pride for his former township given Adelaide captain Taylor Walker is also from the same location.

A close friend of Walker, Clisby intends on picking the brain of the Crows skipper, who valiantly led from the front during an emotionally challenging AFL season in 2015.

Clisby also talks about his on-field role this year, declaring he will likely spend the majority of his time off half-back while rotating through the midfield.

The former Melbourne Demon also reveals two young players who North fans should keep their eye on after training strongly with the senior group during summer.

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Sturt star Zane Kirkwood says he’s ready to lead from the front after being named the club’s lone captain for season 2016.

Working in tandem as co-captain with Michael Coad last year, the Magarey Medallist is adamant he’s primed to tackle the job in his own right following Coad’s retirement.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Kirkwood said he had already received great support from former North Melbourne utility Scott McMahon, who will be one seven players in the Double Blues’ leadership group.

McMahon has been particularly vocal on the training track as he settles into a dual role as a playing mentor at Oxford Terrace.

Kirkwood, who won the 2014 Fos Williams Medal, will also be joined by defenders Guy Page, Jack Stephens, Fraser Evans, Matt Crocker and Tom Harms in the leadership group while former Crow Brodie Martin will also feature.

The softly-spoken former Magpie also reveals he has been working on his leadership style, particularly in providing feedback to his team-mates.

Also a keen NBA fan, Kirkwood revealed he enjoyed watching several sporting events on a recent trip to the US, including a match involving Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James