The 2023 season was one of growth for the Adelaide Football Club. 

From a pair of Showdown victories to opening Gather Round in style, the campaign was filled with memorable moments.

Across the next few months we will look back on the 2023 season by hearing from the players who helped define it.

Welcome to AFC Media’s Reflections series.

For former Adelaide Captain Rory Sloane, 2023 has been a year of change, but also one of growth.

The now 33-year-old entered the campaign coming off a knee reconstruction, after rupturing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the final quarter of Adelaide’s Round Five win against Richmond in 2022.

There was plenty of outside noise, with many believing Sloane would struggle to feature in the Crows’ line-up.

But for Sloane, it presented a challenge.

Testament to his character, Sloane worked hard and earned selection for the Crows’ 2023 Round One game against GWS.

He then went on to play 23 games, missing only the final match of the season against West Coast, due to an eye injury. 

“Missing so much footy last year, I just wanted to come back and enjoy my footy and enjoy being around everyone,” Sloane told AFC Media.

“I ended up playing Round One and I think I ended up getting back in just over nine months.

“I think I more wanted to show that, even at 33 and after an ACL, it’s a great opportunity to get fresh and reset the body and get really strong and fit.

“I wanted to show myself that I could do that, too.”

Sloane said he felt some trepidation upon returning to the field but was confident he had put in enough work to reap the rewards.

“I sort of ran everything through my head, every scenario through my head about how I’d return,” Sloane said.

“There was always going to be a few little nerves but part of my ACL rehab was to put a few little things in place that were going to alleviate those nerves when I did return.

“It was definitely a goal I set (to play every game) and I almost did in the end.

“It helped being managed a fair bit throughout the season and the coaching staff and the high performance team really helped, making sure I recovered really well, too.”

Sloane finished the season averaging 18.1 disposals, 5.1 tackles and 3.8 clearances.

He also notched his 250th game in Round 18 against the Giants at Adelaide Oval.

But Sloane never wanted 2023 to be about his individual achievements and was buoyed by the side’s improvement.

“The way we played this year gives me a lot of hope and excitement for how we will go next year.

“It was a very rewarding year, we just fell short of what we wanted but we showed that we have potential,” Sloane said.

“I was so excited by what I saw and it was a shame we couldn’t showcase it in finals, because I reckon we could’ve done some damage.

“The way we played this year gives me a lot of hope and excitement for how we will go next year.”

In August, the ex-Skipper extended his time at Adelaide into a 16th season, signing on for 2024.

Sloane said he still had the passion for the game and believed the Crows were building something special.

“It’s unbelievable to be playing again and it’s a great opportunity just to carry on that same sort of training and mindset from what I learnt from the ACL injury into next season,” Sloane said.

“As long as we keep doing the work and keep looking for those opportunities to get better.

“That’s what the close games, the disappointment of losing that Sydney game, all these are just opportunities to get better and how we can take our group to the next level.

“I think everyone has embraced that, too, which is probably what excites me the most, everyone is embracing those hard times and ready to learn from them.”