ADELAIDE skipper Nathan van Berlo has taken a swing at former teammate Kurt Tippett after signing a new three-year deal that will see him stay with the club until he turns 30.

Van Berlo's speedy pre-season commitment was in stark contrast to the way Tippett handled his contract talks in 2012, when the forward delayed talks before cancelling them and defecting to the Sydney Swans.

Van Berlo said postponing talks was a mistake that distanced Tippett from the playing group, but one that ensured Adelaide's players now knew how to handle contract speculation.

"I guess that was a clear example to the playing group of feelings that occur when you don't want to be a part of the playing group," van Berlo said.

"In the Kurt Tippett case, it wasn't handled well from his point of view and the players certainly reacted accordingly to that and felt like they were let down.

"They've seen ways they shouldn't do it, if they choose to leave our system, but I don't think we'll have that case to deal with any time soon."

Van Berlo, 26, would have entered free agency at season's end, but avoided months of rumour by committing to the Crows until the end of 2016.

He follows star ruckman Sam Jacobs and defender Daniel Talia in signing three-year deals before the start of the season.

Van Berlo, who is entering his third season as captain, said it would mean "the world" to him if he were to end his career as a one-club player.

"It was a no-brainer for me to make the decision to stay. With the direction the club is heading in at the moment, I certainly want to be a part of it and I'm really excited to be here for another three years," van Berlo told afc.com.au.

"To be able to spend my whole career here means the world to me.

"I think I owe it to the club for giving me the opportunity in the first place. I dreamed about playing AFL footy growing up and the club gave me the chance to live that dream."

With Scott Thompson, Brent Reilly, Graham Johncock, Jason Porplyzia and Ben Rutten all to become free agents at the end of the season, van Berlo said he hoped his early commitment to the club would see others follow his lead.

"It's important that I lead the way in signing a longer-term deal to signify to the boys that I'm keen to hang around…hopefully it can set the way for other guys to follow suit as well," he said.

"I expect we'll have the majority of this group here for the future."

Perth-born van Berlo has played 163 matches with the Crows, the last 65 of them in succession.

He admitted that he missed Western Australia but insisted he wasn't tempted by the go-home factor.

"I do certainly miss home and I know when my football career is finished I will move back to Perth … people sometimes forget that to do your dream job you might have to relocate," he said.

Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.