Analysis: Crows hierarchy made the right executive decision installing Rory Sloane as co-captain

Rory Sloane’s feel good appointment as Adelaide co-captain masks the key take-away that coach Don Pyke is stamping his authority and long-term vision at West Lakes.

Adelaide inaugural, official joint captains Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker. Picture: Dean Martin.

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Rory Sloane’s feel-good appointment as Adelaide co-captain masks the key take-away that coach Don Pyke is stamping his authority and long-term vision at West Lakes.

It is 12 months since Pyke and chairman Rob Chapman – arguably for the first time in decorated professional careers – lost control of the message at West Lakes following a divisive Gold Coast camp.

Pyke is a stickler for ‘learnings’ and Adelaide was on the front foot in an executive decision to promote Sloane as leader with Taylor Walker.

Adelaide advised 177-game gun Sloane’s elevation to the captaincy was decided by Pyke and club management. There was no popular vote, just Pyke ensuring a heart and soul star signed to a five-year deal had maximum input to the club’s premiership destiny.

Adelaide enjoys the best of both worlds with Walker and Sloane as official leaders. There is no pressure as sole skipper to soldier on should injury or form claim Walker who booted 26 goals across 14 games last season.

A Lisfranc injury ruined Sloane’s 2018 season, making co-captaincy an ideal fit. Sloane led Adelaide with Patrick Dangerfield during Nathan van Berlo’s absence in 2014.

Walker is a genuine off-field presence crucial to cohesion at any successful club. Sloane leads by example on field, a wonderful mix of skill and sacrifice that has earnt dual club champion and All Australian status.

Adelaides inaugural, official joint captains Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker. Picture: Dean Martin.

GWS has used Callan Ward and Phil Davis in complementary roles. Ward is a man of few words who excels by uncompromising on-field deeds. Davis is a gifted specimen, speaker and analyst – the perfect face for a new franchise.

The appointment of inaugural, official co-captains is front page news in a town that lives and breathes every movement at the Adelaide Football Club.

GWS’s Davis-Ward captaincy union is unremarkable in a saturated Sydney sports market where it is a new kid on the block in rugby league heartland.

The only downside in a Sloane and Walker captaincy combo is occupying an identical age profile, turning 29 this season. Defender Daniel Talia, 27, is a future skipper.

Sloane notes Adelaide lost ‘joy and fun’ in a slide to 12th last season blighted by angst over its pre-season camp. Joining forces with blood ‘brother’ Walker is the first step in atonement.

Organisational improvement drives leadership change.

A Sloane-Walker combo is a win-win situation perfectly orchestrated by Adelaide.