Phil Walsh lauds Darren Glass’ influence at Adelaide Crows as captaincy decision nears

PHIL Walsh hails the influence of leadership mentor Darren Glass at Adelaide, saying he offers the players experience “you can’t buy’’.

Adelaide Crows Training AFL at Max Basheer Reserve - AAMI Stadium. Darren Glass Picture Dylan Coker

NEW Crows coach Phil Walsh has hailed the influence of leadership mentor Darren Glass at West Lakes, saying he’s offering the players experience “that you can’t buy’’.

“I’m a bit biased because I am a big Darren Glass fan but he has had, in my opinion, a lot of influence on that leadership group already,’’ Walsh said.

“It’s only a young leadership group and in my time in footy he (Glass) has been the best leader that I’ve seen.

“So just to be around him, just the way he carries it out, some of his stories that he’s been able to tell the players and some of his experiences, well, you just can’t buy them.’’

Darren Glass’ leadership has been hailed by coach Phil Walsh. Picture: Dylan Coker

Former West Coast captain Glass is working closely with Adelaide’s six-man leadership group as Walsh tries to identify his first skipper.

The six-man group, nominated by the players, includes incumbent captain Nathan van Berlo, last season’s joint stand-in skippers Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield, ace forward Taylor Walker, veteran Scott Thompson and the only new member of the brigade, 2014 club champion defender Daniel Talia.

Walsh, a former assistant coach with the Eagles, worked with Glass, 33, at the WA club for five years and has hired him as a part-time leadership mentor.

Glass, who retired as a player midway through this year after 270 games, will remain living in Perth but he has spent considerable time in Adelaide prior to Christmas in a bid to quickly leave his mark on the playing group.

Darren Glass with his family after announcing his retirement. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Walsh will select his captain next month — his decision will then have to be ratified by the board — and he is viewing Glass’s mentorship and thoughts on Adelaide’s six contenders as invaluable in making his decision.

“Darren has been All-Australian captain, he’s one of the great captains and he’s changed the culture of a footy club (at the Eagles), so for them to hear his stories and understand his journey is terrific for them,’’ Walsh said.

“By his own admission he wasn’t the most skilled player but he was able to get the job done on game day.

“He’s an impressive guy, Some people you meet in this industry and you go ‘oh, I though there would be a little bit more’.

Phil Walsh has had an immediate impact at Adelaide. Picture: Dylan Coker

“With Darren Glass you walk away and you go ‘gee, that’s an impressive guy’.’’

Walsh said while Glass’s main role at Adelaide is to help with leadership and culture, he will also use him to help the club’s young defenders after the retirement of long-time full back Ben Rutten.

“His main role has been leadership but he is, in my opinion, and Stephen Silvagni might argue this, the best full back I’ve seen, so why wouldn’t you use him to develop your defenders like Kyle Hartigan, Daniel Talia and Sam Siggins even,’’ Walsh said.

Dual Geelong premiership defender Darren Milburn is the Crows’ full-time defensive coach.

Glass has headed back to WA for Christmas as Adelaide takes a two-week training break.

“I’ll be here as much as Phil Walsh and the team need me,’’ Glass said of his return in the New Year.

“I’ve been able to come across a number of times pre-Christmas and lay some great foundations with the leadership group. That will continue into next year and I’ll be a resource for the rest of the football season.

“I’ll continue to work very closely with the senior leadership group, but it goes beyond that as well. There will be expectations of every player to show leadership and improve in this area.’’

Originally published as Phil Walsh lauds Darren Glass’ influence at Adelaide Crows as captaincy decision nears