Rose Rises to Captaincy

South Adelaide has elevated consistent defender Matt Rose as co-captain alongside Magarey Medallist Joel Cross for season 2019.

Vice-captain last year, Rose has forged a reputation as one of the Statewide Super League’s most reliable players, earning West End State selection in 2018.

Now with 135 SANFL matches under his belt since making his debut with Port Adelaide in 2010, the 28-year-old has been replaced by key defender Jake Summerton, who is the Panthers’ new vice-captain.

”It is a huge honour to captain a club with such rich history,” said Rose, who has played 85 League games with South since 2014.

“Going now into my sixth year, I’ve had the opportunity to work and learn a lot from players and coaches to help me as both an individual player and also as a leader.

“I enjoy driving the standards of others both on and off the track and try to build strong relationships with all involved with the club.

“I am really excited about the leadership group we have this year and all the different traits that each individual will bring.

“With some of the players coming through and the experience we still have around the playing group I am really excited about what lies ahead this year.”

South coach Jarrad Wright explained the peer-voting by the Panthers resulted in two clear leaders being appointed co-captains.

“From the votes it was pretty unanimous that we had two stand out candidates that the players rate highly to lead the club in 2019,” Wright said.

“Crossy is following on from a terrific job last year leading the team to a finals position, which we weren’t in the year before.

“Meanwhile, Rosey has done a four-year apprenticeship as a leader, been a vice captain and a pretty good servant of the football club.

“He gets his reward for his hard work over the past five years. Well done to both boys.”

Summerton, who was recruited from Woodville-West Torrens at the end of last season, will be joined in South’s six-man leadership group by fellow backman Alex Cailotto, rugged midfielder Anthony Biemans and Encounter Bay product Ben Heaslip.

Rose replaces Keegan Brooksby as Cross’ sidekick in the top job, with the Panthers’ star ruckman thrown an AFL lifeline by premier West Coast as a mature-age recruit in November last year.