Adelaide Crow Rory Sloane is new favourite to win the Brownlow Medal

ADELAIDE Crows superstar Rory Sloane has moved into outright favouritism to win the 2017 Brownlow Medal.

Rory Sloane celebrates the Crows thrashing of Richmond yesterday. Picture: David Mariuz/AAP

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ADELAIDE big man Sam Jacobs says the form of new Brownlow Medal favourite Rory Sloane is taking his teammates’ games to the next level.

Crows star Sloane was yesterday elevated to the bookmakers’ choice for the game’s highest individual honour following his 33-posession masterclass against Richmond on Sunday night.

The vice-captain booted three goals and collected eight tackles to help his ladder-leading side storm to a 76-point demolition of the previously unbeaten Tigers.

Jacobs said Sloane firming as a $4.50 Brownlow favourite was reward for a string of inspirational early-season performances.

“He’s fantastic,” said Jacobs of the fearless onballer.

“He’s a guy who really underpins the way we want to play.

“He’s a real leader of our footy club, and the way he trains and plays is a real standout.

“I don’t know if he’s necessarily got better (this year) because he’s been doing it for a long time.

“But now he’s starting to get the recognition.”

Midfielder Sloane had averaged 29.5 touches per game in firing the Crows to a club-record 6-0 start to the campaign.

The 27 year old, who missed most of pre-season with a fractured eye socket, led the competition in tackles (58) and ranked third in both contested possessions (94) and clearances (46).

Jacobs, who had a career-high 26 disposals against Richmond, said Sloane’s tireless work was encouraging him to link up more with Adelaide’s dynamic midfield.

“A lot of guys really learn a lot off him,” the 202cm ruckman said.

“I’m really enjoying working with him in a sort of ruck-mid connection.

“I’ve worked really hard at my spread and trying to get involved with our ball movement.

“It’s great to get involved and get my hands on the ball a bit.”

UBET moved Sloane into Brownlow favouritism ahead of Geelong’s reigning medallist Patrick Dangerfield ($5.50) and Richmond gun Dustin Martin ($7).

Nick Curry from the bookmaker said Sloane had started the season a $17 chance to win the coveted award, but had shortened to $11 after round four and $8 the following week.

“Money for him has been relentless, particularly in the past few weeks, and we have had to trim him right up, both to meet market demand and mirror his performance,” Curry said.

“He plays in a winning team, does all the little things well right under the umpires’ nose and is a proven vote winner, so his favouritism is well deserved.

“Everyone was talking up Sloane versus Martin on Sunday as a heavyweight match-up for the top gong, but in the end it was no contest.”

Adelaide yesterday had moved to $3.25 flag favourite on the back of its unblemished start.

Port Adelaide’s premiership odds had shortened to $8 after being at $21 three weeks ago and $34 at the start of the season.

Bookmaker UBET today lists the top 10 Brownlow chances as:

$4.50: Rory Sloane, Adelaide

$5.50: Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong

$7: Dustin Martin, Richmond

$13: Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs

$15: Joel Selwood, Geelong

$17: Nathan Fyfe, Fremantle; Gary Ablett, Gold Coast; Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide.

$21: Adam Treloar, Collingwood; Robbie Gray, Port Adelaide.