Crows players, coaches and staff all enjoyed a well-deserved rest to farewell 2014, but Rory Sloane had one last surprise in store before the year was out.
Sloane proposed to long-time partner Belinda Riverso just hours before the popular couple drove back to country Victoria to catch up with family and friends.
The pair has been together since 2011, and Sloane said the engagement made this year’s Christmas break even more special.
“It was a very enjoyable couple of weeks back spending some time with the family,” Sloane said on FIVEaa.
“That was the important thing for us in that first week, just spending some time with family.
“But we also made sure we had a bit of Rory and Belinda time as well to just relax and celebrate.”
Rory Sloane and fiancé Belinda Riverso spent Christmas with family in country Victoria
The 2013 Crows Club Champion said there was no rush to walk down the aisle, but also admitted the busy schedule of an AFL footballer may limit their options for a wedding date.
“We’re just enjoying the engagement at the moment,” he said.
“We’ve given it (the date) a little bit of thought but I think we’re pretty restricted. Maybe on an eight-day break or something we might be able to squeeze it in.”
Andy Otten took some time off from his knee rehabilitation and enjoyed some quality family time in Melbourne alongside partner Emmalyn.
The Betts family also relished some down time over the break, with Eddie and Anna’s young son Lewis showing off his haul from Santa during the Christmas break.
Andy Otten spent Christmas in Victoria with partner Emmalyn
Lewis Betts shows off his new wheels
Eddie then joined forces with Cam Ellis-Yolmen and GM Football Administration Phil Harper to take out ‘Bunji’s Boxing Day Cricket Clash’ at the home of Crows great Andrew McLeod.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Phil Harper & Eddie Betts led the Green Team Warriors to victory in ‘Bunji’s Boxing Day Cricket Clash’
Cricket was a popular choice among the players on Boxing Day. Taylor Walker padded up old-school style with a bunch of mates for ‘Such XI’, but couldn’t come away with the win.
Matt Wright, Rory Laird, Brodie Smith and former Crow Jared Petrenko also organised their own Boxing Day test. However, as you can see, the quartet had far less emphasis on traditional cricket attire.
Taylor Walker padded up for 'Such XI' alongside some old mates on Boxing Day
Matt Wright, Rory Laird, Brodie Smith & ex-Crow Jared Petrenko enjoyed their own Boxing Day test match
The Dangerfield clan, including Patrick’s partner Mardi, his sister Bethany and mother Janette, enjoyed a different Boxing Day tradition. The group made their way to the cinema to watch ‘The Hobbit’ in 3D, with Patty taking a moment for a quick pre-movie selfie.
Dangerfield also made time for an offseason tune-up while on the coast in Victoria, meeting with housemate Jake ‘The Bull’ Kelly for a gym session in Anglesea just 15 minutes from Patty’s home at Moggs Creek.
Patrick Dangerfield at the movies with partner Mardi, sister Bethany & mother Janette
Danger visited the gym with Jake Kelly in the coastal Victorian town of Anglesea
Luke Brown soaked up the sun on the Yorke Peninsula during his time off, and just like most small forwards in the AFL, the local fish couldn’t escape his grasp.
Luke Brown shows off this fine catch while relaxing on Yorke Peninsula
