As each week passes, it looks as though it may be inevitable that Crows midfielder Rory Sloane may join the long list of players to leave Adelaide.
The two-time Club Champion is yet to put pen to paper and commit to Adelaide beyond the 2018 season, leaving Crows fans feeling frustrated.
A fully fit Rory Sloane sits comfortably inside the competitions top five midfielders, however the severity of his latest injury has left people wondering if he will ever be able to reach the heights of his 2016-17 season(s).
If Rory can return from his latest injury set back and play out the rest of 2018 with no ill effects of the Lisfranc strain, he will have offers from all over the country worth upwards of $1mill per year.
Adelaide will have the salary cap space to match such offers thrown at the unrestricted free agent, however, it may be in Adelaide’s best interest to invest that money elsewhere.
Rory Sloane of the Crows. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
In March, Adelaide successfully secured the signature of Rory Laird to a three-year extension, who is one of the competition’s best small defenders. However, Adelaide still has players Tom Lynch, Paul Seedsman and David Mackay coming out of contract at seasons end, and it looks as though the signature of Rory Sloane is stalling these negotiations.
Paul Seedsman and David Mackay are both currently having career best seasons at halfback and taking full advantage of the absence of Brodie Smith. Tom Lynch who missed Rounds 1 and 2, has continued his form which saw him nominated for the 2017 All Australian team.
Lynch is a running machine and a great user of the footy. He is arguably the competition’s best connector between halfback and half-forward. The latest reports are that Lynch wants to stay at Adelaide, but there are a few Melbourne clubs looking to lure the Victorian back home. Losing a player of Lynch’s calibre because of Rory’s indecision just seems irresponsible.
Although Adelaide has been scrutinised over the years for not being able to hold onto players, I think it’s time the club demand an answer from Sloane on whether or not he intends to stay. If the answer comes back as anything other than a definitive ‘yes’, Adelaide should move on immediately and start working on how they can land the two big fish in WA.
Adelaide senior coach Don Pyke was an assistant coach at West Coast before coming to the Crows in 2016. His immediate success as a coach, attacking brand of footy and ties to W.A. maybe enough to entice Jeremy McGovern (26 years) and Andrew Gaff (25 years) to cross the border.
[latest_videos_strip category=”afl” name=”AFL”]
The two-time All Australian Jeremy McGovern (2016, 2017) has been in the conversation as the competition’s best defender for a while now, and has a younger brother currently playing at Adelaide. Jeremy, who is currently 26 years old and a W.A. local, has put contract talks on hold, with reports of big money offers flooding in from Victorian clubs.
However, if Adelaide can lure McGovern to West Lakes to complement All Australians Daniel Talia and Rory Laird, Adelaide would firmly keep their premiership window open for years to come.
The running machine that is Andrew Gaff has continued his outstanding form from 2017, leading the Eagles for total disposals for a third-straight year, averaging 29.6 a game. Gaff, who will be a restricted Free Agent this offseason turns 26 in June, has suggested that a return home to Victoria is tempting, as is team success.
The 2017 grand finalists sit firmly in the premiership window, with a 6-3 win/loss record and sitting fourth on the premiership table. Signing Gaff to a long-term, multi-million dollar deal would be a better option than Sloane, who will be 29 before next season and has still yet to prove he can shake a tag.
Andrew Gaff of the Eagles (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
If Sloane can’t commit, Adelaide should immediately turn their priorities to re-signing Lynch and Seesdman, then turning their attention to big name Free Agents Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff.
There is no doubting that the Adelaide Football Club and their fans would much rather keep Rory Sloane than to see him go, but if Sloane can’t or won’t commit, then Adelaide needs to access their needs and get to work.
Woof
Guest
interesting that Doedee has been on the Crow's list for 3 (?) years, was a smokey late first round draft pick who hadn't played a senior game until this year and 'suddenly' steps up to fill Lever's shoes, and more at CHB. Kudos to the Crow's recruiters and development staff. (No relations BTW)
User
Roar Rookie
Good points, Melbourne also travel in rd 21 or thereabouts to face wce so have a few tricky on the road matches which could lead to Adelaide having last laugh.
sammy
Guest
true. If him leaving also nets the crows a really good deal in terms of a top 10 draft pick (this might need to be a deal with picks going back and forward to even out), then they can really reload in this draft whilst staying in the top end of the ladder. No-one likes to lose very good players, but we are so used to it in adelaide that it becomes more about what them leaving can bring into the club. Lever being a classic case in point - he goes and yes the club loses a good player, but up steps Doedee AND we got gibbs using their 2017 pick + our 2017 pick and we also got melbourne's 1st rounder in this draft which will net a really good prospect. FWIW, I think if the crows beat melbourne tomorrow, with their games to come, I could see them just missing the finals as they still have to come to Adelaide twice and have hard games against the eagles, Sydney and a few others so their pick could be close to a top 10 pick
User
Roar Rookie
When saying best 3 I am talking starting mids.
User
Roar Rookie
I still think its is 50/50 as to whether he stays at wce or is tempted back to Vic, fact he says premiership calculation will be very much defining reason in decision really discounts a large % of sides so I remain quietly confident he'll stay at wce. That said for reasons you stated I don't think he is a pressing need for Adelaide, Lynch's signature would be most pressing issue over Sloane imho as if Sloane did leave your best 3 is still the crouch bros and Gibbs next year so not bad if he decides to pursue career in melb imho as there is immediate coverage
GJ
Guest
David Mackay career best season .. FMD Seedsman while being named every week on a HBF is actually playing on the wing Pretty much zero chance of Gaff going to Adelaide
Lroy
Guest
Agreed. Hope he stays, but maybe they cant match what he wants.... so if he goes all the best to him, but fingers crossed they can work something out. ;-)
User
Roar Rookie
I thought it was strange bit reckon it was a Barry crocker sammy, think duck said it and rest pulled the proverbial out of him afterwards so nothing in it. But his dad was at the swans for a few years and honestly if I was a player and the three choices where Adelaide, Sydney or freo I would choose either of the former if it was me and finals/premiership was my goal.
User
Roar Rookie
Gaff will end up having to negotiate a trade as you'd expect wce will match anything but I also reckon gaff is the type who will want best outcome for wce aswell as himself. I'll be gutted if he goes but he's served the mighty number 3 superbly thru his continued time at our mob,
Sammy
Guest
First i have head of that one..if it was a straight swap for heeney then maybe. But it would seem an odd one for him to want to go after just re signing and to sydney of all places considering he is a perth boy
User
Roar Rookie
Gaff will go to Victoria or re sign with wce, but understand why any club would want him. Said this many times that if he goes I'll be disappointed, such an important player. Gov will stay in WA, until he signs conjecture can only be freo. Though I have been told on what I consider good authority that he won't be leaving wce. Wasn't it said on talking footy Mitch maybe looking at Sydney swans to continue career even though he just extended? Cat amongst the pigeons so I expect a rebuke of that from Adelaide supporters.
Lroy
Guest
I think the injury almost guarantees he stays at the Crows. Unless Brisbane or GC decide to take a crack at him. IF Gaff goes it will be to Victoria.... Essendon maybe?? Woosh will be desperate for some talent, will open the chequebook I think.. Would think they have to offer up a draft pick or two as well. Be sad to see him go as hes already an All Australian and playing the best footy of his career this year. McGovern is almost a certainty to stay I suspect. Only stumbling block was the length of the contract apparently, they will wrap that up fairly quickly at seasons end I think.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
The longer this injury incapacitates Rory the lower his value on the open market. Which Vic team would want him and which Vic team would he want? Adelaide are still in that window, few Victorian teams are. Essendon touted as most likely but they are, seemingly, a long way off. No way Gaff moves to S.A.
Don Freo
Guest
McGovern and Gaff for McGovern and Sloane. There's a stale mate. If Sloane recovers, Adelaide need him more than any other kind of player. They keep him. If he doesn't recover, no one will entertain offering him anything.
Fairsuckofthesav
Guest
A very sensible article. Sloane does need to give an answer as it is impacting on Lynch. Also agree with Sammy. Early draft picks are like jewels and you see the value in players like Milera and Doodea coming thru. Crows have a very good culture and are able to get the best out of players. This gets exploited by players such as Lever who use that culture to get a financially lucrative deal elsewhere. Sloane by contrast like Danger has given fair service. I suspect he wants to go but his injury has thrown a spanner in the works.
Basil 1 of 2
Guest
I would take McGovern and Gaff in a heartbeat but I can't see it happening. As for Rory, this injury has really stuffed up his negotiating power, but it would be nice if the decision could be made and all parties move on.
Sammy
Guest
I must admit that if sloane wants to go tgen i say thanks for 10 years great service and look to get tge best deal i can for him (whether that is via free agency top band compo or matching a bid as an RFA and securing the good first round pick he will command). Likewise it would be good to hold tom lynch but again if offers from interstate are lucrative for him AND the crows to facilitate a trade then in this one year i would be ok if he went as it should net the club another 1st round pick in the teens. The crows would then have 5 picks inside top 20 in this draft and should use them all on trying to get 5 top pkayers in and hopefully one or two of the top rated SA juniors can be drafted with the picks. With the extra money they have they could look to make an offer for one of the FA'S or RFA'S but i would prioritse getting 5 top juniors in this supposed superdraft year and that could set the club up for years to come. The club would lose sloane and lynch but gets back smith and still has the firepower up front and the midfield depth to stay a challenger in the now. Just my thoughts