FORMER St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has called for Taylor Walker to hand over the captaincy at Adelaide, only two months after being crowned the AFL’s best skipper.

Walker was installed in the top job at the Crows in 2015, after impressing the late Phil Walsh.

While his appointment initially surprised the football community, Walker grew into the role with aplomb. In September the 26-year-old was recognised as the AFL’s best captain at the AFL MVP awards night.

Despite this, Thomas told EON Sports Radio Adelaide would benefit greatly from a change of leadership, nominating Rory Sloane as the next best option.

Finals Week 1

Grant Thomas says Adelaide would benefit from a change in leadership. Photo: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

“Rory Sloane would be a great person to take the reigns at Adelaide,” Thomas said.

“Even though Taylor Walker, everyone says, is a fantastic captain. Well Taylor Walker is going to be a fantastic leader in any game he plays.

“He’s not going to change, he’s not going to drop his bottom lip and be any different. Captains keep being captains even when they’re not captains and when new captains become captains logic tells you you’re twice better off.”

Thomas nominated leadership changes at almost half of the AFL clubs, including Carlton, Hawthorn, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Collingwood.

“You go through all of the clubs and I just think there’s always someone else,” he said.

Thomas’ logic for such widespread change centred on developing players into the best people and leaders they could be. When given added responsibility, Thomas said players flourished, which benefited the entire team.

Even at his old club St Kilda — despite seeing no obvious captain behind Nick Riewoldt — Thomas suggested a new captain would be beneficial.

“I see someone as a Jack Newnes who is someone who is right on the edge, right on the cusp,” Thomas said.

“He’s a very consistent player, he’s a team player, a pro’s pro, but he needs to come out of himself more and he needs to develop his personality more.”

Grant Thomas says it would be ‘illogical’ for Bob Murphy to remain captain. Photo: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The captaincy at the Western Bulldogs has been widely debated, with Bob Murphy publicly declaring he wants to lead the club in 2017.

But Thomas said it would be “illogical” for the veteran to remain captain in what will probably be the last season of his career.

“To have Bob Murphy take that position next year, who would think that would be logical? It goes to the point of future development, and benefit of the club overall,” Thomas said.

“Bob Murphy is not going to be any different. He’s still going to do what he’s going to do.

“Easton Wood might come out of his shell even further — or whoever else they choose — and everyone’s a winner.”