Rory Sloane living up to his superhero image as three Crows make Andrew Capel’s mid-season All-Australian team
RORY Sloane has gone from Patrick Dangerfield’s faithful sidekick to superhero status at Adelaide. His stellar work has earned him a place in Andrew Capel’s mid-season All-Australian side.
Andrew Capel
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RORY Sloane has always considered himself a bit of a superhero.
In a pre-draft questionnaire prior to his selection by Adelaide at pick 44 in 2008, the hard-as-nails midfielder, when asked to identify a weakness, responded with “Kryptonite’’.
Three years later when challenged in a Crows questionnaire to reveal something not many people knew about him he answered “I am Batman’’.
In his first seven years at Adelaide, Sloane played second fiddle to midfield superstar Patrick Dangerfield.
He was more Robin than Batman at the Crows, with the superhero role going to his more heralded teammate.
Not any more.
With Dangerfield having bolted for Geelong, Sloane has emerged from his midfield shadow to become the Crows’ on-ball “warrior’’.
Adelaide’s club champion in 2013 but never an All-Australian nominee, Sloane has taken his game to the next level since his great mate Dangerfield departed.
He is this season averaging career-highs in disposals (24.9), contested possessions (13.5), clearances (4.8) and tackles (7.2).
Sloane is the new undisputed midfield leader of a Crows side that has overcome the loss of their best player Dangerfield to emerge as a shock premiership contender.
“Sloaney’s been a warrior for us this year,’’ Adelaide teammate Tom Lynch said.
“He’s having such a great year and is a very professional player who is a great leader at the club.
“He’s always been a good leader but he’s really taken that (Dangerfield’s departure) in his stride and has taken his leadership and his whole game to a new level.
“Our forward group certainly loves him because he’s winning so many clearances at the minute and giving us some great supply.’’
Sloane, 26, is on target for his first All-Australian selection.
And, in a strange twist of fate, he could be Dangerfield’s biggest rival for the Brownlow Medal.
Betting was suspended on the Brownlow on Sunday because of a possible MRP charge on hot medal favourite Dangerfield for his knee into the back of Saint Jarryn Geary’s head, although it is likely the gun midfielder will be cleared.
Before betting was suspended, Sloane had rocketed into fourth favouritism at $11 after his standout, 30-disposal, seven-clearance, 13-tackle performance in the Crows’ 33-point win against North Melbourne on Thursday night.
Sloane is one of three Adelaide players who deserve selection in the mid-season All-Australian team.
Pocket rocket Eddie Betts has been superb as a small forward with 35 goals and plenty of assists, while key defender Daniel Talia has hardly had his colours lowered in one-on-one combat while improving his offensive game.
Talia has raised his average disposals from 10.6 last year to a career-high 15.5 this season. His 6.2 marks also is career-best.
By contrast Port Adelaide player makes the all-star 22.
Dashing half-back flanker Jasper Pittard — the Power’s best player this season — was on target for a first All-Australian gong but his form has dipped slightly in the past month and he is an unlucky omission.
Dangerfield headlines the elite team after taking his already fantastic game to greater heights with the Cats.
He is averaging career-highs in most statistical categories, including disposals (31.1), and has had dual Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd declare him as the best player in the competition.
“What he’s doing this year is phenomenal,’’ Judd said, adding the Brownlow is his to lose.
Dangerfield’s on-ball partnership with Geelong skipper Joel Selwood is the best in the business, leading to the dynamic duo being dubbed Danger-Wood.
South Australian midfielder Lachie Neale, who signed a new three-year contract to stay at Fremantle after speculation linking him with the Crows, is one of the biggest bolters with his disposals average of 32.8 being the best in the league.
North Melbourne key defender Robbie Tarrant, Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn and playmaking Carlton half-back Sam Docherty also rank highly in the most improved category.
CAPEL’S MID-SEASON ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM
Backs
DANE RAMPE
Sydney
Averaging an elite eight intercept possessions and 2.5 intercept marks and above average one-on-one stats.
DANIEL TALIA
Adelaide
Above average disposals for key defender (15.5), 6.6 intercept possessions and elite one-on-one performance.
ROBBIE TARRANT
North Melbourne
Above average for disposals (15.9), intercept possessions and when involved in a one-on-one contest.
Half-backs
HEATH SHAW
GWS
No. 1-ranked defender, averaging 112 ranking points. Elite for disposals (25.4), intercept possessions, intercept marks and ranks third for metres gained.
ALEX RANCE
Richmond
Ranks equal No. 1 of all key defenders for ranking points (96). Ranks No. 1 for intercept possessions (9.1 per game).
SAM DOCHERTY
Carlton
Second-ranked defender in the competition, averaging 110 ranking points. Elite for disposals (25.3), uncontested possessions and intercept possessions.
Centreline
RORY SLOANE
Adelaide
Elite contested possessions (13.5), score involvements (7.8) and ranks second of any midfielder for average pressure points (62.3)
JOEL SELWOOD
Geelong
Fifth-ranked midfielder, averaging 113 ranking points, fourth for clearances (7.2) and elite for score involvements and score assists.
DAN HANNEBERY
Sydney
Fourth ranked midfielder, averaging 115 ranking points, third for disposals (31) and sixth for contested possessions (15.5)
Half-forwards
DUSTIN MARTIN
Richmond
Above average for disposals (28.5), 11.8 contested possessions, 400m gained, 6.1 score involvements.
JOSH KENNEDY
West Coast
No. 1 ranked key forward (103 ranking points), second for marks inside 50 (3.5), second for ground ball-gets inside 50 (2.2) and second for goals (3.5).
NICK RIEWOLDT
St Kilda
Second-ranked key forward (100 ranking points), No. 1 key forward for disposals (20.8), uncontested possessions (15) and marks (10.3).
Forwards
EDDIE BETTS
Adelaide
Elite marks inside 50 (1.8), elite ground ball-gets inside 50 (2.3), second for goals of small forwards (2.7).
LANCE FRANKLIN
Sydney
Elite disposals and second of key forwards (17.6), No. 1 key forward for ground ball-gets inside 50 (2.2), No. 1 for goals (3.6) and No 1 for score involvements (9.2).
TOM LYNCH
Gold Coast
Ranks third in goals (42), averages 14.2 disposals, elite contested marks (2.4), marks inside 50 (3.1)
Ruck
TODD GOLDSTEIN
North Melbourne
Second-ranked ruckman (113 ranking points), elite for disposals (14.3), goals (1.0), score launches and score involvements.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD
Geelong
No. 1 ranked player in the competition, averaging 134 ranking points. Second for disposals (31.1), equal third for contested possessions (16) and No. 1 for metres gained (620).
LACHIE NEALE
Fremantle
No. 1 for disposals (32.8), equal third for contested possessions (16.1) and fifth for clearances (6.7).
Interchange
JACK STEVEN
St Kilda
Elite disposals (28.5), inside 50s (5.3) and ranks third of midfielders for pressure points (60.1).
KADE SIMPSON
Carlton
Third ranked defender, averaging 105 ranking points. Elite disposals for a defender (26) and marks (7.7).
BRYCE GIBBS
Carlton
Above average disposals (26.4), elite uncontested possessions (17.6) and elite goals for a midfielder (1.0).
MAX GAWN
Melbourne
No. 1 ranked ruckman (117 ranking points), second best hitout-to-advantage win percentage (18.1), second for clearances (3.8) and second for score launches (4.2).
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