Emerging midfield star Rory Sloane has capped off a remarkable weekend, signing a new three-year deal with the Crows.
The best player on the ground in Adelaide’s 29-point win over Fremantle on Saturday, Sloane follows Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas and Matt Jaensch in committing to the Club in the past week. Exciting duo Jared Petrenko and Brodie Smith have also re-signed since the start of the season.
Overlooked completely in 2007, Sloane was selected by Adelaide with pick No.44 in the 2008 National Draft. He has played 43 games since making his debut against Hawthorn in round 20, 2009.
The new deal will see Sloane remain at West Lakes until at least the end of 2015.
The influential onballer has been in contract talks with the Crows for a few months and said he was pleased to have finally signed on the dotted line.
“I sorted my contract out late last week, but didn’t want to let it take the focus away from the game (against Fremantle) at all. It’s good to have it done along with a few other guys and I’m pretty pumped about it all,” Sloane told afc.com.au.
“The way Brenton and the rest of the coaching staff have gone about creating this really enjoyable environment for us to be involved in - I think that’s a big reason why everyone wants to stay around.”
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Crows football operations general manager Phil Harper said Sloane was an important part of the Club’s plans.
“We have built a really strong group of young players in the past few drafts and Rory has developed into one of the leaders, which is great for our team,” he said.
“They are a tight and loyal group and have great confidence about the future of the football club.”
Originally from Upwey in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Sloane has adapted well to life in South Australia.
“I’ve got a very supportive family. My girlfriend is here, I’ve got a few dogs now and I’ve bought a house,” Sloane said.
“I’ve settled into Adelaide life pretty easily and my parents and a lot of my friends, who like coming over for a little getaway, come over quite regularly. I get back to Victoria in the off-season. I like going back home, but I’ve set-up a nice little life for myself here.”
Earlier this year, Sloane and Dangerfield became two of the youngest players in Adelaide’s history elevated to the senior leadership group.
Sloane admits his inclusion in the group came as a surprise initially, but anyone who saw the courageous midfielder will his teammates back into the game with 10 final-quarter possessions against the Dockers at Patersons Stadium would’ve witnessesd his enormous leadership potential.
“At the start, I was pretty taken aback by it all,” Sloane said.
“It’s a big role, being part of a leadership group at an AFL club and one I never thought I’d have this early in my career. I like to lead by example with the way I play probably more so than the off-field stuff.”
Already a popular figure at West Lakes and cult hero among the Adelaide faithful, the curly, blond-haired Crow with an appetite for the contest and strong desire to win is starting to attract attention from the wider football community.
In typical modest Sloane fashion he remains unfazed by the growing attention.
“I’m not sure about that (being a fan favourite),” he said.
“It’s a bit stranger when you go to the shops and people stop and say, ‘Hi, Rory’.
“I’ll never get used to that.”
