Cross and Rose named co-captains for 2019

South Adelaide duo Joel Cross and Matt Rose have been appointed co-captains to lead the Panthers in 2019.

Cross retains his leadership position, after skippering the side in 2018 alongside Keegan Brooksby, while Rose, who has previously served as vice-captain, steps up to joint captaincy.

The decision was made by senior coach Jarrad Wright and South Adelaide's key management, following peer voting by the Panthers playing group, and was announced to the players before training on Wednesday night.

Two-time Magarey Medallist Cross has played 156 games and kicked 113 goals for the Panthers, also boasting three Knuckey Cups amongst his lengthy list of career accolades.

Rose joined the Panthers from Port Adelaide Magpies in 2014 and has since played 85 games for the club (135 total SANFL games), earning selection in the SANFL state team in 2018.

Wright explained that following player voting there were two clear nominations for captaincy.

"From the votes it was pretty unanimous that we had two stand out candidates that the players rate highly to lead the club in 2019," said Wright.

"Crossy is following on from a terrific job last year leading the team to a finals position, which we weren't in the year before.

"Meanwhile, Rosey has done a four-year apprenticeship as a leader, been a vice captain and a pretty good servant of the football club.

"He gets his reward for his hard work over the past five years.

"Well done to both boys."

Cross declared he is proud to remain at the helm and help push the Panthers further into the finals.

"It is a great privilege to be able to lead the South Adelaide Football Club into 2019," said Cross.

"Last year we made great strides as a club, introducing a lot of talented young faces into the side and returning to the finals.

"I am looking forward to working alongside Rosey and our other leaders to help push us deeper into September and find that success we are all striving for."

Meanwhile, Rose said he is humbled by the chance to take his leadership to the next level and mentor the young talent coming through the ranks.

"It is a huge honour to captain a club with such rich history," said Rose.

"Going now into my sixth year I've had the opportunity to work and learn a lot from players and coaches to help me as both an individual player and also as a leader.

"I enjoy driving the standards of others both on and off the track and try to build strong relationships with all involved with the club.

"I am really excited about the leadership group we have this year and all the different traits that each individual will bring.

"With some of the players coming through and the experience we still have around the playing group I am really excited about what lies ahead this year."

Jake Summerton will serve as vice-captain, while Alex Cailotto, Anthony Biemans and Ben Heaslip round out this year's leadership group.

2019 South Adelaide Leadership Group

Captains
Joel Cross
Matt Rose

Vice Captain
Jake Summerton

Leadership Group
Alex Cailotto
Anthony Biemans
Ben Heaslip

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