There are a few games from this season that will stick in Adelaide captain Rory Sloane’s mind, but one remains his favourite moment of the 2021 campaign.

“We had a couple of big wins, but Round One (against Geelong) is my favourite,” Sloane said.

“No one gave us a chance and just the type of footy we played, I think that gave us the standard that we wanted to set for ourselves.

“Unfortunately we didn’t meet it the whole season but we certainly played some good games against some quality opposition.

“That was a great way to start the season and in front of a fair few fans, too.”

Next season will be Sloane’s 13th at the Club after being selected with pick No.44 at the 2008 AFL National Draft.

Despite the ups and downs, there’s a simple reason the 31-year-old midfielder has stuck with the Crows for the past decade.

“Getting better individually and as a team, I also always want to try and push my body to another level,” Sloane said.

“Last year we just enjoyed training together as a Club and that’s something I look forward to every year.

“The Club has been like my family for 13 years and it means everything to me.”

Sloane said there were plenty of positives to come out of this year, especially the  development of youngsters.

“We’ve seen some exciting stuff from our younger guys and it’s very exciting for the whole footy Club,” Sloane said.

“Chayce Jones has had an incredible season down back, Jordan Butts, Will Hamill, Lachie Sholl have taken another step forward, as did Nick Murray and Riley Thilthorpe, who can play at the level.

“But you look back at the development you have had and that makes me pretty excited.”

Before heading away from the Club to spend the off-season with his family, the skipper also paid tribute to the Crows’ loyal members and fans.

“It’s been incredibly tough the last couple of years for our fans who have to spend most of the time at home watching the footy,” Sloane said.

“We love playing in front of our fans and I’m hanging out for the day we can have a packed out Adelaide Oval again.

“Stick with us, I hope they see the positive signs that this young group is delivering and there’s going to be exciting times in the future.”