Part 1: Rory Sloane on family, fatherhood and playing his 200th game in front of an empty stadium this weekend
Rory Sloane opens up on family, fatherhood, early mornings, turning 30 and playing his 200th game in front of an empty stadium – if at all – this weekend in the first of a two-part interview with The Advertiser.
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Unless the surf was calling, Rory Sloane never used to be a morning person.
But now his favourite time of the day is often before the sun comes up.
It’s when he walks over to six-month-old Sonny’s cot and as he peers over the top he is met by a beaming smile and two little arms reaching out to grab him.
“Mornings are the best,” Sloane told The Advertiser.
“When I see him wake-up, when I’m looking over the side of his cot when I first go into him and he’s smiling.
“I used to only get up early for a surf, any other time I’d want to have a sleep, but now I’m happy to get up and see him.
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“They’re (babies) called great time-wasters but he’s got to a really great age at the moment where he’s reaching out for you and smiling, and no matter what he’ll keep life in perspective for us.
“He loves being entertained and he’s full of energy, so I also love getting home and being able to have a play with him.
“You reflect a bit on what you were like as a kid, I’ve always had a great appreciation for my parents but it does make you reflect on what they did for you growing up.
“I had a very normal childhood which I’m very thankful for.”
This Saturday at Adelaide Oval Sloane would love to run out for his 200th AFL game - and his first as solo skipper of the Crows - with little Sonny in his arms as they burst through the banner.
But that’s if a game even goes ahead. The current coronavirus pandemic which is threatening the immediate future of the competition means if Round 1 starts on time then family and friends will be banned from the stadiums with games to be played in front of empty stands.
With Sloane also turning 30 on Tuesday, his family is still set to travel across from Victoria for a double celebration.
And if like everyone else they are locked out of Adelaide Oval on game-day and watching on TV instead, there is one special little person who Sloane knows will be with him regardless - he and wife Belinda’s first son, Leo, who was stillborn at 34 weeks in August, 2018.
“It would be a really nice moment to run out with Sonny and I know Leo would be watching over the both of us too and that would be very nice,” Sloane said last week.
“Everyone is booked (to come over) at the moment and I’ve got family and friends who have played a big role in supporting me and Belinda both living over here.
“It’s also my 30th birthday (on Tuesday), so I’ll make sure we enjoy that as well at some point.
“Either way I’ll certainly celebrate this milestone with them and make sure they get a really enjoyable weekend.”
In typical Sloane fashion, the fearless and selfless midfielder says his 200th game is special to him but also reflects the efforts of others.
Drafted by the Crows with Pick No.44 from the Eastern Ranges in 2008, he debuted in Round 20, 2009, and is now an All-Australian, two-time club champion and captain.
Mid-way through 2018 he knocked back offers to return to Victoria by signing a five-year deal with the Crows to see out his career in Adelaide.
“200 games is something you never think about reaching when you first come into the system, and I’ll definitely reflect on it later in life,” he said.
“I’ve just enjoyed playing football every game but there are a lot of family, friends and people who have been a huge part of my career or taken an interest in me and the footy club, and it’s a proud moment for them.
“Especially my close loved ones, I think it means a lot to them because they are a huge part of why you play footy and supporting me from Melbourne, they’ve made countless trips over and that’s made us enjoy it over here.”
He said Belinda had been a constant support throughout his career but his appreciation and admiration of her had only grown in the past 18 months since losing Leo.
“Belinda does an incredible job, all mothers do, the hours they put in is phenemonal,” he said.
“For me she’s the most special person in my life. She’s always supported me to achieve whatever I have been after and that has been incredible.
“But to see what she was able to do in giving birth to Leo a year-and-a-half ago and giving birth to Sonny as well, the strength and courage that took her blew me away and it’s something that has inspired me in life as well.
“She is an amazing woman as all mothers are and what they do for their little ones is phenomenal really.”
Another special woman in Sloane’s life and who also inspires him is his sister Shae who switched from international volleyball to the AFLW with Melbourne in 2018 but has played just one game due to two serious knee injuries.
“She made a great transition from volleyball and she’s represented and captained Australia on a world stage - that is a phenomenal achievement,” Sloane said.
“What she was doing at Melbourne, getting her body into shape and preparing to play some footy was a huge achievement.
“It’s disappointing she did a second one (knee) and I might be biased, but she’s succeeded in life because she’s one of the kindest people I know and one of the most driven too.
“So she will continue to help out Melbourne if she’s playing or not, she will want wants best for that team and it makes me really proud to see that.
“She’s a genuine person who helps others and that’s succeeding in life.”
IN PART II TOMORROW, RORY SLOANE ON:
■ The moment he let go of the 2017 grand final.
■ Tex and captaining the club this season.
■ His first meeting with Matthew Nicks.
■ Expectations for the Crows in 2020.