Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs does not believe the captaincy would influence Rory Sloane

SAM Jacobs believes captaincy will have no bearing on star free agent Rory Sloane when it comes to signing his next contract, as Kane Cornes weighs into the debate.

Rory Sloane signs autographs at the Adelaide Crows season launch. Picture: Tom Huntley

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CROWS ruckman Sam Jacobs believes it would be highly unlikely that the captaincy would be a key factor in Rory Sloane staying at West Lakes.

The club is yet to name its captain and leadership group, but coach Don Pyke has indicated it is likely Taylor Walker will get the nod again after being commended by his peers for his leadership over the past three seasons.

Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane celebrate after their preliminary final win. Picture Sarah Reed

Last year’s vice-captain Sloane, who served as a joint captain alongside Patrick Dangerfield in 2014 when Nathan van Berlo was out with injury, is out of contract and it has been suggested making him captain could be the carrot to keep him at West Lakes.

But Jacobs predicted it would have no bearing on Sloane’s decision whether he was named skipper instead of the incumbent and popular Walker.

“I don’t think ‘Sloaney’ would take that into his calculations,” Jacobs said. “Sloaney’s a fantastic leader anyway and once the (players’) vote takes place I’m sure we’ll see the result.

“That’s the strength of our group — we’ve got a couple of guys who are fantastic in that role that we think would be great candidates.”

Jacobs’ call comes as Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes weighed into the debate by suggesting Sloane, who is a business partner and close mate of his, had some qualities that would make him a better captain.

But he also predicted the players would opt for Walker again.

Rory Sloane during preseason at Thebarton Oval. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Taylor Walker at preseason in December ahead of his foot injury. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Rory Sloane leads by example. When the footy is there to be won, he puts his head over it,” Cornes told Melbourne radio station SEN. “I’m not saying Taylor Walker is not courageous, but in terms of the way Rory Sloane leads on the field, he’s a better leader.

“My criticism over Tex’s captaincy is that he gets caught up in too much off the ball stuff.

“He’s very boisterous off the ball, tries to throw his weight around and push and shove in the face of the opposition.”

“(But) anyone you speak to that’s inside the four walls at the Adelaide footy club say ‘Tex’ is the man.

“He’s the one the players listen to, he’s got the best balance off the field, on the field.

“The way that he leads the players, his influence over the playing group is bigger than anyone’s.

“I guess that’s why they vote for him to be captain.”

Pyke on Tuesday said it was offensive to suggest the Crows would use the captaincy as a bargaining tool to keep Sloane at West Lakes and that the club was determined to protect the integrity of the selection process.