Coach Brenton Sanderson says he expects young star Patrick Dangerfield to be a great leader at the Club for years to come after the 21-year-old was named in Adelaide’s 2012 leadership group.
Out of contract at the end of the season, Sanderson and Dangerfield were both forced to respond to suggestions the promising midfielder’s inclusion in the leadership group was part of a ploy by the Crows to keep him at West Lakes.
“I don’t think (being out of contract) has got anything to do with being in the leadership group,” Dangerfield said after training on Thursday.
“I’m 100 per cent committed to the Club … I couldn’t be more committed to the Club than what I am, so for me it’s irrelevant.
“I’ve aspired for the last couple of years to improve on my leadership.
“The coaches and senior players have obviously seen that improvement and I’m just happy to be included in the group.
“It’s very humbling … to be looked upon as a leader by the coaches and senior players.
“In terms of contracts … the games haven’t even started yet, so I’ll worry about that when they do.”
Coach Brenton Sanderson also rejected claims the leadership role was a ‘sweetener’ to try to convince Dangerfield to re-sign, describing the speculation as “insulting”.
“Paddy is ready to lead and he’s the perfect fit for what we want,” Sanderson said.
“He’s an outstanding young man.
“He was the first player I caught up with when I got the job.
“I was in Geelong and ‘Danger’ was with his family in Moggs Creek, so we had coffee in Geelong and a couple of days later we were taking Brad Crouch to the footy to watch Geelong play West Coast in a preliminary final.
“Paddy loves the club.
“He spoke to the group this morning about what it means to him.
“He’s very passionate about where the Club is headed.
“He’ll be a great leader for us not only this year but also down the track.”
Dangerfield and Rory Sloane, both 21, are the youngest members of the 2012 leadership group, which will be headed up by skipper Nathan van Berlo, vice-captain Scott Thompson and deputy vice-captain Ben Rutten.
Sloane, who has played only 33 games, oozes leadership in his uncompromising and team-first style of play but admitted he was “a bit shocked” to be included in the senior leadership group.
“For the last year and a bit, I’ve been chipping away at the leadership qualities I aspire to … I’ve probably reached them a bit sooner than I thought and it’s a huge honour,” Sloane said.
“One thing I’ll try to do in my role is help the first and second-year players.
“I have a really good relationship with them and try to be a bit of a voice for those guys.
“I remember in my first couple of years, there were guys in my position now who looked after me
“It’s flowed through the club for the past few years and it’s something I want to carry on.”
Touted as potential future captains of the Club, Dangerfield and Sloane both played down their ambitions to assume the top job, saying they were happy being included in the leadership group.
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