Adelaide has finalised its leadership group for 2025 with Jordan Dawson to enter his third season as captain.

The two-time Club Champion and All-Australian midfielder will be joined by fellow Malcolm Blight Medallists Ben Keays and Reilly O’Brien, as well as Darcy Fogarty and Alex Neal-Bullen as vice captains in the five-man leadership group.

As part of a thorough and clearly defined process, the leaders were nominated by their teammates in consultation with coaches, and the group was endorsed by the Club’s Board and senior management.

Neal-Bullen is the new addition to the group and brings 176 games’ experience from a decade with Melbourne to the role.

The 29-year-old played in Melbourne’s 2021 AFL premiership and had been part of the Demons’ leadership group before returning to South Australia and joining the Crows during last year’s trade period.

Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks said the streamlined group represented the values and traits the players – both individually and collectively – demanded of each other.

“Our playing squad is continuing to evolve and improve, and it’s not just about having a greater depth of talent but the understanding of what it takes to be a leader,” he said.

“It doesn’t just fall to the guys who have an official title and instead every player must, and is expected to, drive standards and live our values.

“Importantly, we must maintain a consistent level of performance on and off the field.”

Nicks described Dawson as an obvious choice as captain given the way he sets the tone, leads by example and his on-field direction had been outstanding over the past two years.

“He is super-competitive, driven and brings others with him so we look forward to that continuing,” Nicks said.

“Ben and Reilly have also been part of the leadership group for a number of years now and demonstrate an elite level of professionalism, combined with a genuine care for others.

“Darcy stepped up into a leadership role for the first time last year, was our leading goal kicker and finished top-five in our best-and-fairest.                                                             

“He has built strong connections within the playing group and committed his future to the Club until 2031 which is a real positive for us.

“And with Alex, we had a focus in the off-season to add more leadership and experience to our team and we were fully aware of his ability to impact in this space.

“He has embraced the Club and his new teammates from day one and he will be a great addition to our leadership group.”

Adelaide will open its 2025 AFL season with a clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, March 16.

Tickets available here.