Crows unwilling to risk Sloane after surgery
Captain Taylor Walker says Adelaide will take a no-risk policy with star midfielder Rory Sloane in the qualifying final against GWS, fearing long-term damage if he plays sore.
Sloane must get a medical clearance to play against the Giants at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night after having an emergency appendectomy last Tuesday.
A final decision on his fitness is not expected to be made until after he consults his surgeon and possibly trains today.
Walker said vice-captain Sloane had done “some physical activity” but that the club’s main concern was his long-term health.
“After such an internal problem for him, 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 was “going well and giving himself every opportunity to play”.
But he said his biggest test would come when he starts “bending, moving and tackling”.
“Because that hurts a lot,” Betts said.
Walker, meanwhile, said the club had rallied behind lead ruckman Sam Jacobs, who is doing it tough after his older brother Aaron passed away 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.”
Walker said the Crows players were excited at the opportunity to win their first flag since 1998 and would “look to step up the intensity” against GWS.
“We will ask GWS the question of whether they will want to come with us and hopefully they’ll say no,” Walker said.