Come in Spina

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide has elevated Alex Spina into the role of Statewide Super League captain for the 2020 season.

Acting as a vice-captain for the past two seasons, the 24-year-old replaces premiership skipper Max Thring, who announced his retirement last year.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Spina said he was extremely proud to be handed the baton as the Roosters’ captain given the names before him on the club’s honour board.

Now with 102 League games under his belt, Spina felt he was primed to tackle the challenge in unison with new coach Jacob Surjan, who has also risen up the ranks to replace premiership mentor Josh Carr.

Spina – who has been involved at Prospect since playing in the Under-16s in 2010 – will be joined in North’s three-man leadership group by joint vice-captains Andrew Moore and Tom Schwarz.

Moore, who will rejoin the Roosters after playing 14 League matches from 2010-2013 while AFL-listed with Port Adelaide, will provide Spina with great experience having captained Box Hill Hawks to the VFL premiership in 2018.

Schwarz continues to impress North officials with his professionalism on and off the field, rated as the club’s best player in the 2018 Statewide Super League Grand Final and posting a top three finish in last year’s Barrie Robran Medal.

Spina, who said Surjan was more relaxed as he settled into his new role, has rated the club’s 2020 list as the strongest in his tenure, with key recruits Billy Hartung, Robbie Young, Kym Lebois, Harrison Wigg and Cameron Hewett all impressing on the training track.