Nathan van Berlo says he’ll remain a “strong leader” at Adelaide despite not being captain in 2015.

Van Berlo, 28, captained the Crows in 68 games across four seasons between 2011 and 2014.

Earlier this month, it was announced that forward Taylor Walker would lead the Club this season based on a recommendation from new coach Phil Walsh, which was then ratified by the Board.

Van Berlo, who remains a member of the six-man leadership group, said he would support 24-year-old Walker in his transition to the top job.

“As I’ve said all along, I’m always keen to do what’s best for this football club. What’s best for this footy club at the moment is that Taylor Walker is the captain,” van Berlo told afc.com.au.

“I’m really supportive of ‘Tex’. I love him as a leader. He’s such an influential player and person around this football club.

“In saying that, we’ve got a number of leaders underneath Tex, not only in the leadership group but around the footy club, who will help each other and help Taylor throughout the year. I’m certainly one of those. I’ll remain a strong leader.

“I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of this football club.”

Van Berlo said not being captain wouldn’t change his approach on or away from the football field.

“I don’t think it’ll affect my role within the team or place in the group. It’s business as usual for me,” he said.

“For me personally, I’ve still got a really strong passion along with the leadership group and all the players to return this football club to where we need to be.

“That means hard work across the board.”

Walker vowed the captaincy wouldn’t change him  after being appointed as Adelaide’s seventh skipper. Van Berlo said the likeable lad from Broken Hill had remained true to his word thus far.

“Tex has been great. He’s actually had a shave in the last week … I thought he might’ve just sharpened up a bit (since being named captain),” van Berlo said with a laugh.

“I haven’t seen a great change in Tex (the past couple of weeks). From day one, he said he wasn’t going to change and it’s great to see that he’s sticking to his guns as I knew he would. He’s a really influential character and has been ever since the first day when he walked into the club as a 16-year-old on a scholarship from Broken Hill.

“He’s still the big character we all love … he’s going to be a great leader for this footy club.”

Walker assuming the captaincy duties will also allow van Berlo to focus on his comeback from injury.

The hard-running onballer missed the entire 2014 campaign after rupturing his Achilles tendon in a pre-season training accident last January.

He fell just a few weeks short of a brave return late last season, earning the Dr Brian Sando OAM Trophy for his dedication to rehabilitation.

Van Berlo hasn’t missed a beat this summer, but knows he still has work to do after an extended period on the sidelines.

“It ticked over 12 months since my injury last week, so it was nice to put that behind me and I’m really looking forward to Season 2015 now,” van Berlo said.

“It’s a big year for myself. I’m going to have to make sure I get the full pre-season under my belt, which I have so far. I need to keep myself out on the park and keep looking to improve. Having missed 12 months of footy, I know I’ve still got some ground to make up.”

Walsh indicated van Berlo might be released from the tagging role he made his own prior to 2014.

Van Berlo said he wasn’t fazed what position he played this season.

“I just want to play footy out there with my teammates again,” he said.

“I’m just looking forward to the fresh season ahead having missed 12 months of footy. The boys have been training hard and I believe we’re in a strong position at the moment, as does every other football club going around at the moment.

“We’re looking to improve and I can’t wait to get out there with the boys in the NAB Challenge.”