Rory Sloane has taken the lead in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.
Sloane polled maximum votes from Don Pyke and Rodney Eade in Adelaide’s 67-point win over Gold Coast.
The Crows and All Australian vice-captain amassed 30 possessions, nine clearances and a goal, while also applying a game-high 13 tackles at Metricon Stadium.
Sloane, who has polled votes in four consecutive matches, now sits on top of the leaderboard with 33.
Adelaide’s leading possession winner on Saturday evening, Matt Crouch, received eight votes. Crouch collected 35 disposals, nine clearances and a goal in another strong display.
The remaining votes were split between Rory Atkins, Rory Laird, Brad Crouch and Jake Lever, who each attracted three votes in a reflection of Adelaide’s even team performance.
In his first AFL game of the season, Brad Crouch gathered 33 possessions and laid eight tackles. Laird also had 33 touches and took seven marks.
Atkins kicked a goal and generated a game-high eight inside 50ms with his 29 disposals, while Lever was recognized for taking five intercept marks to go with 14 possessions in a backline minus two-time All Australian Daniel Talia.
Sloane was one of five players to earn a perfect 10 votes in Round Five. Geelong’s Joel Selwood, Port Adelaide forward Robbie Gray, Fremantle veteran David Mundy, and Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt also received top votes.
Selwood (31) sits in second place on the overall leaderboard, two votes behind Sloane. The overall leader after Round Four, Power onballer Ollie Wines (29) is third ahead of Tigers star Dustin Martin (25).
Adelaide v Gold Coast
10 – Rory Sloane (Adel)
8 – Matt Crouch (Adel)
3 – Rory Atkins (Adel)
3 – Brad Crouch (Adel)
3 – Rory Laird (Adel)
3 – Jake Lever (Adel)
AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Leaderboard
33 – Rory Sloane (Adel)
31 – Joel Selwood (Geel)
29 – Ollie Wines (Port)
25 – Dustin Martin (Rich)
25 – Clayton Oliver (Melb)
23 – Zach Merrett (Ess)
21 – Luke Shuey (WC)
21 – Elliot Yeo (WC)
20 – Patrick Dangerfield (Geel)
20 – Robbie Gray (Port)
20 – David Mundy (Frem)
Crows Leaderboard
33 – Rory Sloane
18 – Taylor Walker
15 – Rory Laird
11 – Eddie Betts
11 – Matt Crouch
10 – Sam Jacobs
7 – Rory Atkins
7 – Richard Douglas
6 – Charlie Cameron
4 – Tom Lynch
3 – Brodie Smith
3 – Brad Crouch
3 – Jake Lever
2 – Kyle Hartigan
1 – Josh Jenkins
