Acting co-captains Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield have emphatically backed Nathan van Berlo to stay on as skipper in 2015.

Van Berlo, 28, remained captain this year despite missing the entire season through injury.

The hard-running midfielder suffered a ruptured Achilles in a freak training incident in January. He trained relentlessly in a bid to return this season, but fell agonisingly short. Van Berlo would’ve been available for selection in September had Adelaide’s AFL or SANFL team qualified for finals.

Sloane and Dangerfield assumed the on-field captaincy duties in van Berlo’s absence, but neither player was in any doubt over who should lead the Club next season.

“VB for sure,” Sloane said on FIVEaa.

Dangerfield echoed Sloane’s sentiments.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that VB is the best leader we have at the footy club,” Dangerfield said.

“The work he’s done this season without playing a game and while also managing the disappointment of knowing that the chances of him playing were really low – I couldn’t speak more highly of him.

“He’s a terrific guy, but an unbelievable leader. While you read and hear the external calls from outside the footy club, internally there is no doubt about who is the best person to lead the Adelaide Football Club.

“It would just be nice if people (outside the club) can follow the same line as the players because we firmly believe Nathan is the right man for the job.”

Dangerfield said his experience in the role had been an eye-opener.

“It’s an ever-increasing role. With the amount of media coverage and scrutiny that comes with the game today, captain is a highly-demanding position,” he said.

“I’m glad Rory and I had the role for a certain period of time this year, but it certainly opens your eyes as to what is demanded of that position.”

Sloane said van Berlo had also learned from his match day role in the coach’s box.

“I think VB took a step up with his leadership and his coaching ability on game day as well,” he said.

“It was great for me to bounce ideas off him. He certainly helped me with my messages before the game and helped simplify things for me.

“I think you’ll see VB come back next year as a better leader and I guarantee you he’s going to be fit and running super well because it’ll be about an 18-month pre-season by the time he plays again.”