Sloane stays in five-year deal

THE lure of family back in home state Victoria was strong for Rory Sloane, but his ties to his AFL home at Adelaide were stronger. For the next five years, at least. Sloane ended months of intense speculation over his future yesterday when he turned his back on offers from rival clubs to sign a new fiveyear deal with the Crows.

The 28-year-old, a restricted free agent at the end of the season, will now likely play out his career at the South Australian club. Sloane and wife Belinda are expecting their first child towards the end of the year and he admitted getting the balance of family and career right was behind his drawn-out decision-making process.

“There was a lot to think about, a lot to process, especially from a personal point of view … but I’m absolutely pumped,” Sloane said.

“I’m pretty excited about what’s to come because I’ve loved this footy club the whole way along.

“I’ve grown up here since I was 18, they’ve helped me mature in a lot of ways, and really define myself as a footballer.”

Sloane’s signing is a huge win for a club that hasn’t had many victories to celebrate since last year’s grand final loss to Richmond.

Adelaide, 11th after 16 rounds and with only a faint chance of making the finals, has endured a horror run with injuries and copped stinging criticism for its ill-fated pre-season training camp that some players found psychologically distressing.

But coach Don Pyke’s stewardship was part of the reason that Sloane decided to sign on.

“The last few years here have been unbelievable … I love the direction this club is heading in,” Sloane said.

“This year has obviously been tough for a few different reasons, but my confidence in what we’re capable of achieving in the next few years never wavered.”