Crow Jason Porplyzia never chased a leadership title, but says he’s ready to make his mark after being included in the Club’s 2013 leadership group.

Porplyzia and ruckman Sam Jacobs have both earned selection in the group for the first time.

It’s been a particularly long wait for 28-year-old Porplyzia. The skilful forward has played only 110 games in eight seasons at Adelaide. Porplyzia’s first AFL season – as a Crows rookie in 2003 – ended in him being delisted. He spent two years developing his game and fitness at SANFL club West Adelaide before being re-drafted by Adelaide in the 2006 AFL Pre-Season Draft.

Since then, the reliable goalkicker has endured a string of injuries including shoulder reconstructions, groin complaints and a serious head injury. Porplyzia has overcome every setback, and last season celebrated his long-awaited 100^th AFL game.

Porplyzia said he would try to use his personal experiences to help educate his younger teammates.

“I didn’t have the easiest path into AFL footy,” he said.

“I had to work hard and that’s fine because I don’t mind working hard. It’s something I can share to the guys coming through now, just how important it is to work hard to achieve what you want.”

Humble and softly-spoken, Porplyzia adds another style of leadership to the group, which also includes captain Nathan van Berlo, vice-captain Scott Thompson, deputy vice-captain Patrick Dangerfield and young midfielder Rory Sloane.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said Porplyzia had never sought recognition for his good work around the Club.

“He’s very quiet, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a leader,” Sanderson said.

“His best work is done in small groups or one-on-ones, but the information about the work he does behind closed doors filters back to the coaches. He might not know we’re aware of it, but he does a lot of things to help his teammates off his own bat.”

Porplyzia said he was humbled by his appointment to the group.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by your peers and coaches in that way,” Porplyzia said.

“I don’t know if I’ve pursued a leadership title as such. It’s an important quality and trait, to be a leader around the Club, and the way you carry yourself, but not necessarily to have the title.

“In saying that, I’m humbled by the appointment to the leadership group. I want to be able to challenge the group and coaches … and throw up some ideas I have.

“I want to make sure I continue to develop my leadership and keep giving back to the group.”

Jacobs was added to the group on the back of a career-best 2012 season. He was also recognised with the Club’s Best Team Man award. The popular figure had a grin from ear to ear when the coaches informed him he’d been included in the leadership group.

“It’s very exciting. I’m proud to get the acknowledgement from the coaches and the other senior leaders at the Club,” Jacobs said.

“I think we have a great set up here. The senior leadership group are supported well by the emerging leaders. Having more leaders helps on game day because you’ve got a greater number of guys who can stand up.”

Van Berlo is entering his third season as captain after taking over from Crows champion Simon Goodwin ahead of the 2011 season. The 26-year-old faced a tough first year in the role. His second season (2012) went much closer to plan, but he said 2013 also presented a big challenge.

“I’m very honoured and humbled to be named captain again. I’ve certainly learned a lot in my first two years in the role, and that will hold me in good stead from here on in,” van Berlo said.

“The first year was the hardest. This year presents another challenge, for us to back up what we produced last year. As a playing group, we’re under no illusions that it’s just going to happen for us again. We still need to make sure we have a real ruthlessness about the way we play our footy. It’s not just about this season, but the years to come as well.

“The expectations on the playing group, internally, we’re going to be there anyway, but we’ve got the outside expectation now too. The playing group is going to have to deal with that.

“I believe the best way of doing that is by attacking training and keeping our belief strong that our best is good enough.”