Rory Sloane was the best Crow on the ground in Adelaide’s narrow loss to Fremantle on Saturday according to coaches Brenton Sanderson and Ross Lyon.
A wet-weather specialist, Sloane polled seven coaches votes after collecting 30 possessions (15 contested), seven clearances, five tackles and a goal assist against the Dockers. The rugged midfielder has now polled votes in five games this season for a total of 35 – ranked sixth overall in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.
Patrick Dangerfield received six votes on Saturday and is now equal-fifth in the award, seven votes clear (42) of teammate Sloane. Impressive young defender Rory Laird was the only other Adelaide player to attract attention of the coaches. Laird earned his first-ever vote for a polished performance.
Freo ball magnet Michael Barlow received a perfect 10 for his dominant display, which included a game-high 32 possessions, 11 clearances, eight tackles and a goal. Defender Michael Johnson (three), wingman Nat Fyfe (two) and onballer David Mundy (one) were the other vote-getters.
Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett, who polled five votes against former team Geelong, remains in first place on 55 votes – 10 clear of reigning Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson.
Adelaide vs Fremantle
10 Michael Barlow (Frem)
7 Rory Sloane (Adel)
6 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
3 Michael Johnson (Frem)
2 Nathan Fyfe (Frem)
1 Rory Laird (Adel)
1 David Mundy (Frem)
AFLCA Leaderboard after Round 10
55 Gary Ablett (GC)
45 Jobe Watson (Ess)
44 Daniel Hannebery (Syd)
42 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
42 Kieren Jack (Syd)
35 Rory Sloane (Adel)
33 Nathan Fyfe (Fre)
33 Jarrad McVeigh (Syd)
33 Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
32 Luke Hodge (Haw)
