The re-signing of Rory Sloane for five years seems to have breathed life back into Adelaide after a torrid first half of the season, and former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes thinks the Crows should keep the good feelings going by handing Sloane the captaincy next year.
Just 12 months ago Taylor Walker was about to be named the AFL Players Association ‘Captain of the Year’ for a second consecutive season, but his standing has been seriously tarnished since then.
An underwhelming Grand Final performance both on the field and after the match had people questioning his leadership capabilities under duress.
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Since then Walker has been criticised for his petulant response to Jake Lever’s exit, supporting the Crows’ pre-season camp debacle and undisciplined play including being rubbed out for a match for an undisciplined hit on Geelong’s Zach Tuohy.
Meanwhile, Sloane continues to come across as the Crows’ golden boy and favourite son.
“With Sloane committed to Adelaide until the end of 2023, it’s time for him to take over as captain next year,” Cornes said in The Advertiser this week.
“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.
“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.”
It’s possible the captaincy has been included in the contract package Sloane signed, not unlike the deal that kept Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe at Fremantle.
A similar offer may also await Patrick Cripps at Carlton when his contract expires at the end of 2019.
While there is plenty of experienced talent on the Crows’ list, no obvious heir apparent to Walker stands out.
“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,” Cornes said.