Dangerfield a leader on merit, say Crows

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says it’s insulting to suggest Patrick Dangerfield was elevated to the Crows’ leadership group to keep the 21-year-old at the AFL club.

And Dangerfield agrees, saying the move will have no bearing on whether he remains in Adelaide next year.

Victorian-born Dangerfield, who falls out of contract at season’s end, was on Thursday included in the Crows’ five-man leadership group headed by reappointed captain Nathan van Berlo.

Onballer Scott Thompson was named vice-captain and Ben Rutten deputy vice-captain, with another 21-year-old, Rory Sloane, rounding out the group.

Sanderson bristled at suggestions Dangerfield was included as incentive to stay with the Crows.

“It’s really insulting,” Sanderson said.

“Patty is ready to lead, he is the perfect fit for what he want.”

Dangerfield, a 64-game veteran, said being in the leadership group was “irrelevant” to his future contract negotiations.

“I don’t think it has got anything to do with it, to be honest,” Dangerfield said.

“I’m 100 per cent committed to the club.

“From my perspective, I’m extremely comfortable in the environment I’m in.

“And in terms of contracts, that will take care of itself.”

Dangerfield and Sloane replaced last year’s other members Scott Stevens (retired) and veteran Michael Doughty, who asked to relinquish his position in the group.

Sanderson said there was no debate about van Berlo continuing as captain for a second year.

“He’s the perfect skipper,” Sanderson said.

“There was no-one going to go past VB in that leadership role.

“He’s an animal in the gym, he wins all the runs, he trains his heart out and he’s really hard on his team-mates as well.”

Van Berlo had a baptism of fire last season, with coach Neil Craig quitting his post as the Crows missed the finals for the second year in a row.

“There is no doubt I learnt a lot last year,” van Berlo said.

“I was under no illusions at the start of being appointed that it was going to be any easy run and there were going to be no challenges – there were probably more than I would have liked in my first year.”

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