South Adelaide’s Nick Murphy and Bradley Crabb to share captaincy

SOUTH Adelaide coach Brad Gotch has adopted the old adage “if it aint broke don’t fix it” philosophy when opting for co-skippers again this season.

04/05/14 - SANFL: South Adelaide v Eagles at Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga Downs. Panthers' Nick Murphy. Picture Tom Huntley

SOUTH Adelaide coach Brad Gotch has adopted the philosophy “if it aint broke don’t fix it” when opting for co-skippers again this season.

Midfielder Nick Murphy has retained his captaincy role while Bradley Crabb’s positive response to being dropped to the reserves last year has been reflected in his promotion to co-leader following the retirement of Josh Thewlis.

And in recognition of their growing maturity and responsibility as senior players at the Panthers, classy on-ballers Joel Cross and Nick Liddle have been named vice-captains.

“I liked the way Murph and Josh Thewlis worked last year,’’ Gotch said. “Murph has his strengths and Josh complimented those. Crabby is a little similar. Murph communicates well and can be strong and decisive with things, especially off the field, whereas Crabby is more an on-field leader.

“He is reliable and stands up in the big moments. It is a good blend and co-captains has worked well.’’

The two captains are Panthers zone products with Murphy and Crabb from Strath-albyn and Kangaroo Island respectively.

The process of finding the leadership group involved a players vote followed by recommendations from Gotch and the match committee.

Crabb was sent back to the reserves for a week after the win over Glenelg in round 10 last year. After missing the game against Central District, he returned to the league team which beat North. “I reckon it is a sign of Leading Teams,’’ Gotch said. “The leaders had a bit of a review halfway through the year about how they were going.

“I think Crabby got some feedback on how he could improve in certain areas and he took that on board in the right spirit. He did something about it and came back and played career best form in the last six to eight games.’’

Gotch has been working with Cross and Liddle individually and he pressed them on their leadership ambitions.

“I think they were going along a bit and just playing — and playing well,’’ Gotch said.

“They are ready to step up into that next echelon.’’

The Panthers opened their trial campaign with a win over the Roosters last weekend and meet Woodville-West Torrens at Hickinbotham Oval today.

The Eagles have named recruits Nick Hayes and Aseri Raikiwasa for their first trial.

Adelaide and Port Adelaide will meet at Alberton this morning while Central District hosts Glenelg.

Interstate recruits Chris Jansen and Tom Stevens will make an appearance for the Bulldogs along with youngsters Connor McLean and Wayne Milera.

Crows youngster Matt Crouch, who had ankle surgery late last year, has been named in the trial at Alberton along with Charlie Cameron and Reilly O’Brien. Anthony Wilson, a premiership player with Norwood last year, is also in the side along with last year’s draftees Harrison Wigg and Harry Dear.