Rory Sloane will captain Adelaide for the third year in a row after being unanimously endorsed by his teammates as their leader.

Sloane will head the Crows’ five-man leadership group which remains the same as 2020 and includes key defender Tom Doedee, experienced forward Tom Lynch and All-Australian pair Brodie Smith and Matt Crouch.

The 30-year-old was elevated to co-captain alongside Taylor Walker in 2019 and served as sole captain in 2020 with Walker stepping away from the leadership group.

Every player was consulted by the Club’s Leadership Development Manager Dan Jackson and provided feedback on who they believed should lead the team for the 2021 season based on how they represented the team’s values and behaviours.

The final leadership group was ultimately signed off on by Senior Coach Matthew Nicks and endorsed by the Board and senior management.

Nicks said Sloane was a clear standout among the group and the right man to lead the team for another season.

“Rory typifies what we are about – selflessness, team-first, he is ruthlessly competitive and all about performing at the highest level and making others around him better,” Nicks said.

“He has been a fantastic captain for us the past two years and we are excited about him continuing in the role this season.

“The fact that there have been no changes to the leadership group for 2021 reinforces our belief that the five players did an outstanding job in what was a very challenging year in 2020 and as we enter a period of growth and stability it’s important they continue the work they started.

“The ability however for players to have an influence on the team and environment is not limited to those who are in the leadership group and throughout the process several other players were identified as emerging leaders and those who represent the standards we strive to achieve.”