Adelaide has uncovered another superstar in Rory Sloane after losing Patrick Dangerfield

WHEN Patrick Dangerfield left Adelaide, its flag hopes seemingly went with him. But in Rory Sloane, the Crows have uncovered another superstar who can lead them to glory.

Rory Sloane is Adelaide’s heart and soul. Picture: George Salpigtidis

IT’S not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

Adelaide’s Rory Sloane is 183cm and 83kg — an old-fashioned six-footer — but he’s a competitive giant and he stands atop of the AFL for desire.

The way Sloane makes an impact on games is immeasurable. Most of the standards he sets aren’t referenced on a stats sheet or via Supercoach points because they’re effort-based.

He puts his body on the line for the cause more than any other player and, when hit, he bounces to his feet without fuss or loss of focus.

Sloane runs to exhaustion, literally. Appearing to always operate under genuine fatigue, he somehow finds a way.

It’s as if his mind forces his body to continue to push and compete until the next whistle, when he allows himself to stop. His characteristic stoop — doubled over, hands on hips even when taking in oxygen — looks painful.

The departure of Patrick Dangerfield to Geelong has provided Sloane with more clearance opportunities as coach Don Pyke has thrown him into the centre bounce mix twice as often as last year.

His clearance numbers are up 20 per cent now he’s not confined to the wing any more.

Sloane plays on the opposition’s best in an old-fashioned way, from their toes.

Rory Sloane has thrived in Adelaide’s midfield since Patrick Dangerfield’s departure. Picture: Getty Images

Liam Shiels is the only player who puts on more pressure than Sloane. It’s Sloane’s trademark.

He’s a better player when Adelaide doesn’t have possession of the ball. He creates turnovers and is a significant reason why the Crows are the AFL’s best at scoring from those opportunities.

Gerard Healy has likened Sloane to the North Melbourne great Wayne Schimmelbusch. Their football traits are identical — team first at all times, competitive from the first siren to the last and committed to a supreme workrate and effort.

There are iconic photos of “Schimma” that could easily be Sloane.

Mark Ricciuto thinks Sloane can win the Brownlow Medal, despite statistics inferior to others such as Dangerfield and Sydney’s Dan Hannebery.

Sloane’s influence on games is undeniable, but the umpires’ level of recognition is an unknown.

The Crows’ premiership tilt would be in tatters without their heart and soul star.

Put bluntly, Sloane is the Adelaide midfield. While he can appear untidy, he does everything the game demands at a high level.

Sloane is the player’s player. The perfect teammate. The guy everyone wants on their side. The ideal role model off-field but an uncompromising warrior from siren to siren.

Rory Sloane spoils Carlton’s Ed Curnow. Picture: George Salpigtidis

At 26 and with only 133 games to his credit, Sloane is entering his prime football years but there will be no better opportunity for premiership success than 2016.

An ideal fixture on the run home — if handled with maturity and a ruthless approach — should see the Crows finish in the top two, qualifying for home finals on the path to the Grand Final.

There’s plenty of water to go under the bridge yet, but in an even season the Crows are playing the most complete and exciting brand of football.

Don Pyke and his crew are flying, leading the competition in scoring from intercepts, which historically is the game’s greatest success indicator.

The Crows forward line is the most productive in the AFL and their captain, Taylor “Tex” Walker, leads like very few others can.

Sloane holds the 2016 fortunes of the club in his hands. A case can be mounted that Sam Jacobs or Walker are more important structurally, but Sloane sets standards and will have to defeat the game’s best midfielders throughout the finals.

In my mind’s eye I can see Pyke literally carrying Sloane off the MCG in late September and early October. Time will tell.