Ian Callinan has been confirmed as the inaugural captain of Adelaide’s new SANFL side.

The four-time SANFL premiership player with Central District was recently appointed as an assistant development coach with the Crows.

State League coach Heath Younie said Callinan was the ideal captain for the new side.

“Ian is a strong leader and mentor, he understands the competitiveness of the SANFL competition and he also understands what it is like to be trying to earn AFL selection,” he said.

“He will be good for all our State League players, whether they are experienced players coming back to the SANFL, young Crows trying to impress or the development players.”

Callinan, 30, played 32 AFL games in three seasons with the Crows after being recruited as a mature age rookie at the end of 2010.