‘Not much will change’: How Rory Sloane will stay involved at Adelaide Crows

Rory Sloane has called time on his career, but that won’t be the end of his time at West Lakes. See what he has in mind moving forward after Monday’s retirement.

Rory Sloane will continue to train with Adelaide this year despite having to retire due to injury as he considers if he wants to move into coaching.

The former Crows captain announced his retirement on Monday after 16 years and 255 games for Adelaide after suffering the second detached retina – the sixth eye issue of his career – of his career in pre-season.

The 34-year-old had returned to training and was wearing protective eyewear in match simulation after the surgery, but decided not to risk permanent damage.

Sloane said he would still be around the club and would not be going anywhere in a hurry with a desire to help out where he can for the rest of 2024.

“Not much will change to be honest, I will still train,” he said.

“I have really enjoyed training with our rehab boys over the last couple of months.

“Big Muz (Nick Murray) has 12 sessions left, which he keeps reminding me about and helping him get through and return to our AFL side as fit as he possibly can be is going to be a goal of mine.

Rory Sloane with Crows coach Matthew Nicks at the announcement of his retirement. Picture: Dean Martin.

“I always thought if I am not going to be able to help this year on the field then I will certainly do everything I can off the field and get us back to playing the footy that I know we are capable of.”

When asked if coaching could be on the cards for him, Sloane said it was a possibility.

“A little bit, there is a lot that I love doing and that (coaching) is one part of it and I now have the opportunity for the rest of the year to put my head down and think about and discover what I am really passionate about,” he said.

“And definitely coaching and getting us back on track is one of those passions.”

Adelaide senior coach Matthew Nicks said coaching could suit Sloane.

“He sees an opportunity, of course he does and he has been coaching for four years that I have seen and probably longer,” he said.

“He has an eye for the game, we share ideas, I have no doubt that opportunity will be there for him.

“It is one of those things, if he decides to put everything into that I have no doubt he will be successful but he may have other things that he wants to go into.”

Sloane informed teammates of his decision to retire on Monday at West Lakes.

He said it was something he was dreading.

“I have been stressing on that for the past couple of days,” he said.

“I have been a bit distant at home and this morning I was having breakfast and the boys were probably fighting and I couldn’t really hear them because I was just thinking “what am I going to say to the boys, I know I am going to tear up”.

Rory Sloane with his family, wife Bel and kids, Sonny, 4, Bohdi, 3, and Summer, 1. Picture Dean Martin

“It was extremely emotional but that is because you love what you do, you cherish the moments, the moments in the locker room, the moments you train together, the hard moments, the wins after the game.

“It is more the realisation that you aren’t going to be a part of them anymore.”

Nicks said Sloane’s retirement would have his teammates fired up for Thursday night’s Showdown against fierce rivals Port Adelaide.

“When we sat here this morning and Rory opened up in front of the group, not the first time he has done it, but for him to open up on what he wanted to get out of football and what were his priorities I’m pretty sure that has inspired a number of our guys to go down the same path,” he said.

“So I think you will find it will be a pretty red-hot contest on Thursday night.”

Originally published as ‘Not much will change’: How Rory Sloane will stay involved at Adelaide Crows