Rory Sloane’s value continues to soar as rumours swirl an announcement on his signing with Adelaide Crows is imminent

AS his stock continues to rise, confidence is growing that Rory Sloane is staying in Adelaide despite the lure of lucrative offers from his home state.

Adelaide Crow Rory Sloane at a Crows super clinic at Strathalbyn Oval this week. Picture: DYLAN COKER

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RORY Sloane’s price is rising by the day with reports his signing with the Crows is imminent.

No better campaign could be staged for the soon-to-be free agent to drive up his stocks: the Crows’ vice-captain has had interest from several clubs in his home state of Victoria and he finished last season on a high note.

He has also been chirpy in interviews and seen at his bubbly best at training, suggesting he is in for another top year.

Sloane was the Brownlow fancy early last season before a few matches of heavy tagging saw him drop from favouritism.

Once he learnt how to deal with the stoppers, he was no longer Brownlow favourite but his value had increased as he had mastered another challenge and finished the year on a high note, despite undergoing appendix surgery during the finals series.

Adelaide vice-captain Rory Sloane during the grand final. Picture: David Caird

Rory Sloane leads the way at Adelaide Crows preseason training at Thebarton Oval. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Reports are now swirling around that his signature with the Crows is imminent.

Sloane has given no clue either way, and board member Mark Ricciuto wouldn’t be drawn on the issue on radio on Wednesday morning, other than to cheekily say the club still had no signature but that Sloane’s manager, from McDonald Sports Management, had been seen around the club lately.

Sloane is scheduled to be on Adelaide radio this afternoon to either play a dead bat to the predictable questioning or drop a bombshell.

A source close to The Advertiser says the deal on the table — waiting for Sloane’s signature — is worth north of $3.5 million over four years. Close to a million a year when all the bells and whistles are included.

It comes as confidence is growing that Sloane is staying, despite the lure of lucrative offers from his home state, where wife Belinda is also known to have opportunities to further her career in television.

One former Crows champion from the early days — who now works as a media performer — has told his wide circle of friends it is a done deal, having had the word leaked to him by one of the club’s directors.

It is said negotiations are going well and that a deal could be signed before the season.

All the signs suggest Sloane does not need to be in a rush because he’s in the better bargaining position at the minute.

It comes down to whether he wants to cash in his chips now for the best deal of his career or let the money ride for part of the season when good form can inflate his value further.

Club chairman Rob Chapman told Melbourne radio last month Sloane’s signature was a big deal for the Crows and hoped the star’s love for Adelaide would see him put pen to paper soon.

“He loves our football club. He loves to play for our football club. He loves everything about it – he loves Adelaide,” Chapman said.