The Adelaide Football Club has finalised a streamlined leadership group for the 2018 Season.

The Crows have endorsed a senior leadership group comprising Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch and 22-year-old Matt Crouch, who takes on an official role for the first time.

Walker retains the captaincy and will lead the Club for a fourth consecutive season while Sloane has been named vice-captain.

The four-person group was voted on by the players, who took into account the squad’s values and behaviours, and endorsed by key management at the Club.

The leadership group will be supported by a number of smaller groups who will take responsibility for different portfolios across the football program.

These groups will include 2017 leadership group members Daniel Talia and Eddie Betts, along with numerous others who are keen to drive key components of the program.

Crows Head of Football Brett Burton said the new structure would expose more players to meaningful leadership duties.

“We firmly believe this approach maximises the impact and influence each individual can make to our program, but also fast tracks their leadership development,” Burton said.

“Ultimately, every player has a responsibility to drive the standards at our Club so we can give ourselves the best chance of success.”

Tom Lynch, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker and Matt Crouch make up the 2018 senior leadership group

Senior Coach Don Pyke praised the four players in the senior leadership group and described them as quality young men both on and off the field.

“All members of our leadership group were recognised for their ability to live our values and behaviours, drive standards and maintain a consistent level of performance, both on and off the field,” Pyke said.

“Taylor, Rory and Tom set a great example last season and have taken it to a new level with their engagement and leadership this pre-season.

“Matt is the youngest member of the group and his elevation reinforces the progress he has made in the past couple of years and allows us to build one of our younger leaders.”

Walker, judged by his peers as the AFL’s best skipper for the past two years, is excited to lead the Club in 2018.

“I enjoy the responsibility of being captain. I have a lot of faith in this playing group and look forward to seeing what we can achieve this season,” he said.