Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo is the latest player to commit to the Club long-term, putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal.
Van Berlo, 26, follows star ruckman Sam Jacobs and NAB Rising Star winner Daniel Talia in agreeing to a contract extension before the start of the season. Like Jacobs and Talia, van Berlo will remain a Crow until at least the end of 2016.
The skipper, who will be 30 by the time his contract expires, said he was rapt to be a Crow for ‘life’.
“It was a no-brainer for me to make the decision to stay. With the direction the Club is heading in at the moment, I certainly want to be a part of it and I’m really excited to be here for another three years,” van Berlo said.
“To be able to spend my whole career here means the world to me. I think I owe it to the Club for giving me the opportunity in the first place. I dreamed about playing AFL footy growing up and the Club gave me the chance to live that dream.”
General Manager of List Development and Strategy David Noble said van Berlo’s signature was another boost for the Club on the eve of the 2013 season.
“Nathan is the ultimate professional and a role model for our entire squad with his strong durability and leadership qualities.” Noble said.
“Nathan has been here eight years already and his decision to re-sign for another three is a great vote of confidence in our Club’s direction.”
Van Berlo has played 163 AFL games, including the last 65 in succession, since making his AFL debut in 2005. He has been a consistent performer, finishing top 10 in Adelaide’s Club Champion award in each of the past three years – highlighted by a second-place finish in 2011.
He played all 25 games in 2012, kicking 13 goals and leading the Club in tackles.
The hard-working midfielder was reappointed as skipper for a third year in February. He will captain Adelaide for the 50th time against Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday night. Selected with pick No.24 in the 2004 AFL Draft, the Perth-born Crow is the sixth captain of the Club and the only non-South Australian to hold the position.
The new three-year contract takes van Berlo, who would’ve been a restricted free agent at the end of the season, off the free agency market. Van Berlo said he expected more Crows to re-commit to the Club in the near future.
“Having three guys re-sign already shows the group is committed to where we want to go. They see we can have success in the future,” he said.
“Part of that success, is making sure we get the rest of the group to stick around. We’ll have words with (out-of-contract) players if we need to, but I honestly don’t think we’ll need to say too much. The boys love the environment here at the footy club and the style of game we play. Sando is great for their development and there’s no reason you wouldn’t want to be around.
“I expect we’ll have the majority of this group here for the future.”
Be there to see VB lead the team out in his 50th game as captain against Essendon on Friday night. Tickets are available now
