Rory Sloane now Adelaide Crows key focus as Matt Crouch extends contract until 2021

RORY Sloane’s signature is now Adelaide’s chief mission with club champion Matt Crouch re-signing with the Crows until the end of 2021.

Vice-captain Rory Sloane leads the way the Adelaide Crows return to training at Thebarton Oval this week. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Brake

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RORY Sloane’s signature is now Adelaide’s chief mission with club champion Matt Crouch in for the long haul at West Lakes.

The Crows have delivered a welcome riposte to the go-home factor that seduced Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron by retaining Victorian Crouch, 22, until at least 2021.

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said he was buoyed by All-Australian Crouch’s three-year contract extension following the acrimonious exit of Lever to Melbourne.

“At only 22 years of age, his best football is still ahead of him and we are excited to continue to see him grow as a player and a leader,” Reid said of 72-game midfielder Crouch on Thursday.

“Matt has developed into one of the premier midfielders in the competition and to have him around until at least 2021 is a great result for the club.

“He has not only bought into but led the way with the club’s team-first culture and helped create a really positive environment.”

Matt Crouch, with partner Ellie Symons, after becoming the Crows’ second youngest club champion winner in October. Picture: Tom Huntley

The retention of Crouch - the club’s second-youngest Malcolm Blight Medallist, who broke the Crows record for most disposals in a season (825) - was essential for Adelaide’s future. However, retaining Sloane - an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of 2018 - is Adelaide’s key off-field challenge.

Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch and West Coast’s Andrew Gaff will also attract a plethora of suitors this year.

All-Australian. Club Champion. 22-years-old and locked in until the end 2021 🔒
Looking forward to seeing plenty more of this! 💙❤️💛🤗 #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/MHsTEcw1Z6

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) January 11, 2018

St Kilda and Collingwood are understood to lead rivals queuing to lure Sloane home. Sloane, 27, has told The Advertiser he’s ‘not fussed how long it takes’ to decide on new contract and has never rushed his deals.

Having endured a 2017 grand final humiliation against Richmond, Sloane must decide between becoming a one-team legend or follow former Crows including Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Gunston and Lever home in a $1 million-a-season mega deal.

Brothers Matt and Brad Crouch during the Grand Final parade. Both are locked in at the Crows for the next three seasons. Picture: Sarah Reed

Matt Crouch was expected to remain at West Lakes after older brother Brad last August committed to the club until the end of 2020 in a deal worth around $2.2 million.

“The club is a fantastic place to be, with a committed playing and coaching group who are determined to achieve success,” said Crouch, snared by Adelaide at No.23 in the 2013 national AFL draft.

“I’m excited for what the future holds.”