Sloane must convince surgeon on selection

CAPTAIN Taylor Walker says Adelaide will take a no-risk policy with midfielder Rory Sloane in the qualifying final against GWS, fearing longterm damage if he plays sore.

Sloane must have a medical clearance to play against the Giants at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night after having an emergency appendectomy last Tuesday.

A decision on his fitness is not expected to be made until after he consults his surgeon and possibly trains this morning.

Walker said the vicecaptain had done “some physical activity’’ but the main concern was his long-term health.

“After such an internal problem, if the surgeon says he’s fine to go then he’ll play, but if there is any doubt we won’t risk him because you can get a hernia and then that can cause further issues down the track,’’ Walker told Triple M.

“It would be great if he can play but if not we can get the job done without him.’’

Star Crows small forward Eddie Betts, who missed the Round 19 draw against Collingwood after having his appendix removed, said Sloane “is going well and giving himself every opportunity to play’’.

But Betts said his biggest test would come when he started “bending, moving and tackling, Because that hurts a lot’’.

“Rory’s a hard-minded person who will do anything in his power to play, but we’ll have to wait to see,” he said.

Sloane’s stellar season was rewarded in the AFL Coaches Association player of the year voting.

He finished third with 78 votes behind winner Dustin Martin, from Richmond (122 votes), and Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield (118).

Walker, meanwhile, said the club had rallied behind lead ruckman Sam Jacobs, who is doing it tough after his older brother Aaron died last week. Jacobs will play against the Giants.

“It’s very sad for him and his family,’’ Walker said. “What our club hasn’t been through, I don’t know, but he is still puffing his chest out.

“That’s the beauty of being at a footy club, you can come and put everything aside and have a smile put on your face.

“I just wanted to give him a big hug because I didn’t know what to say.’’

Walker said Aaron Jacobs’s funeral will be held in Ardrossan on Friday and that the Crows would send a strong contingent of players to the Yorke Peninsula.