Matt Turner: Adelaide veteran Rory Sloane planning to play on after eye surgery should not have been a surprise

People have been quick to write off Rory Sloane after his latest eye surgery. But, as MATT TURNER points out, his history is littered with clues that this was always unlikely to be the end.

Rory Sloane is recovering from eye surgery. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The murmurs came from people in football who knew Rory Sloane, as well as others who had admired him from afar.

“Unfortunately, I think this could be it,” they said.

Their concern – that Sloane’s brilliant 255-game career might be over – were understandable.

For the second time in less than three years, the Crows veteran had undergone surgery on a detached retina after having lost some of his peripheral vision.

The external thinking was: “Why would Sloane risk something as serious as his sight by playing on, particularly the age of 33 when it’s going to be his last season anyway?”

A week on from the surgery, the brave midfielder spoke on Wednesday about what was next. There was no mention of retirement or of weighing up his future.

Instead, Sloane said he was looking into wearing goggles to help prevent future eye injuries, a clear indication he was planning to return.

Should we be at all surprised?

This was someone who last April said: “I’ll play until they kick me out of this joint”.

Rory Sloane is planning to wear goggles, not retire. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A guy who has soldiered on through a spate of serious and unusual injuries – a fractured jaw in 2011, a torn retina in 2013, a fractured cheekbone in 2015, an appendicitis that sidelined him for the 2017 qualifying final, a Lisfranc foot injury in 2018, the previous detached retina in 2021, then his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022.

And someone who has been written off plenty of times before, only to prove his doubters wrong.

It started when he had to wait until pick 44 to hear his name called on draft night in 2008 as a host of clubs overlooked him.

After his ACL, Sloane’s playing future was again questioned outside the club.

First it was “will he return”, then “he won’t be in the Crows’ best team” or “how many games will he play though?”

Sloane missed just one – the last match of the season against West Coast in Perth.

He was sidelined as a precaution because of an eye issue the previous game.

Adelaide’s leadership development manager Dan Jackson offered an insight into how Sloane had managed to overcome so many setbacks.

Jackson said the ex-skipper was a really positive, smiley person, even in difficult times.

Sloane having eye surgery. Picture: Instagram

And walking from the ground after tearing his ACL in 2022. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos

Sloane has also done a lot of mindfulness and breathing exercises, learning to control his fears and emotions.

“He’s a teacher to everyone in that space, so you don’t get too many cracks in his veneer when it comes to his mental state,” Jackson told this masthead.

“Rory’s philosophy is always to find the positive and isn’t someone who sits in doubt.

“He’s been through so many things on field and in his personal life that he thinks there’s no point sitting in fear of what might happen, you just deal with it when it comes.

“Whether this is his last year or he manages to get a few more out, I reckon he’ll have the same attitude all the time … so I don’t think we’ll ever see him shirk a contest for the rest of his career.”

Jackson’s comments came 12 months ago but they applied just as much today.
Eye specialists will have a major say in what is around the corner for Sloane.

Adelaide’s medical staff will be guided by those specialists in his return to training.

Anyone anticipating a farewell this pre-season looks like having to wait.

And based on his history, fearlessness and positive attitude, do not rule the Crows warrior out of playing a key on-field role in the club’s push for finals this season.

Originally published as Matt Turner: Adelaide veteran Rory Sloane planning to play on after eye surgery should not have been a surprise