Crocker to skipper Rabbitohs

Experienced forward Michael Crocker will lead South Sydney next season, the club has announced.

Coach Michael Maguire has decided to scrap last year’s captaincy structure and instead elect Crocker, 32, as the team’s sole captain.

Back-rower Crocker was ever-present in the Rabbitohs pack last season and was an integral part of their charge to the NRL finals.

“It is a real honour to captain this great club and this talented group of players,” Crocker said.

“Part of our culture is that we are one group and, as captain, I will simply be the spokesperson on the field and, in some cases, off the field as well for the playing group.”

Maguire said the consensus among the squad was to dump the five co-captain model.

“We are one group here at the Rabbitohs and the players and staff decided that the way to go, in terms of leadership this year, was to have a leadership group directing things with Michael to act as the captain on field and as a spokesperson off the field,” Maguire said.

“‘Crock’ has demonstrated over a number of years that he is a strong leader on and off the field, and really acted in this role for the latter part of last season as it was.”