Brad Crabb to Continue as Captain in 2016

Brad Crabb will continue in his role as captain of the South Adelaide Football Club in 2016 following the selection of the Panthers leadership group.

The selection process to reveal South Adelaide's strongest leaders has been ongoing throughout the pre-season. The coaches and playing group, with the assistance of Daniel Healy of Leading Teams, identified the players that best represent the club's trademarks, with Crabb strongly endorsed by his peers to lead South again in 2016.

Crabb was first named as South's skipper in 2015 and enjoyed one of his best seasons for the Panthers, finishing third in the Knuckey Cup and being named at fullback in the Advertiser Team of the Year.

"It's a huge honour to be leading the club again this season," Crabb said.

"South Adelaide has had some great leaders in the past and it really is a privilege to be acknowledged with that sort of company and be handed that level of responsibility.

"It's definitely special to have the backing of the rest of the playing group. To know that everyone is behind you and supporting you in your role gives you a real sense of confidence on and off the field."

Senior Coach, Brad Gotch, revealed Crabb was the overwhelming favourite when it came to selecting a leader for 2016.

"Brad is the player we believe best lived the trademarks we set for ourselves as a team throughout the pre-season. He definitely led by example with the way he trains, putting in the time and the hours that he had to and his communication, direction and encouragement on the track was great.

"He was the clear standout when it came to deciding on the captain amongst the playing group and coaches. He was an excellent leader for us last season and we have full confidence in him to do so again in 2016."

Supporting Crabb as vice-captains in 2016 will be Joel Cross, Matt Rose and Tarak Redigolo. Cross joined the club in 2011 and has since won two Magarey Medals, two Knuckey Cups and played over 100 League games. Rose's appointment as vice-captain shows his continued growth as a leader at South, after first joining the leadership group last season. Meanwhile, Redigolo is a respected leader at the club, whose work ethic has not gone unnoticed by his peers.

Rounding out the leadership group are three-time Knuckey Cup winner, Nick Liddle and emerging leader Adam Gulden.

Crabb revealed it was great to see guys advance their roles as leaders and to have several strong figures behind him in 2016, while Gotch noted it was pleasing to see such a depth of leaders amongst his charges.

"It's been really good to see guys like Matt and Adam step up into new leadership roles. Their voice on and off the track has been fantastic throughout the preseason," said Crabb.

"Having strong leaders like Crossy, Lids and Tarak continue their roles as leaders within the playing group will also be a huge help for us as a team."

"To see guys elevate themselves into new leadership roles is great," Gotch said.

"It really shows what it means to those guys. They really wanted to be a part of that group and they put in the work and really drove the standard for everyone else.

"The depth of leaders within our playing group is fantastic and competition for spots in the leadership group is a promising sign for us."

All in all the Panthers 2016 Leadership Group boasts nearly 600 League games experience, two Magarey Medals and five Knuckey Cups.

South Adelaide Football Clubs 2016 Leadership Group

Brad Crabb (Captain), Matt Rose (Vice-Captain), Tarak Redigolo (VC), Joel Cross (VC), Nick Liddle and Adam Gulden