Adelaide great Rory Sloane called time on his AFL career after 255 games on Monday.
The 34-year-old midfielder has been batting an eye injury this year and decided to hang up the boots after consulting with doctors and eye specialists.
While he didn’t get to step away on his own terms, Sloane leaves Adelaide as a club legend as a former skipper, best and fairest winner and All-Australian.
After spending 16 years at the club and playing a key role across that period, Sloane leaves the game with plenty of memories and accolades.
He joined Kane Cornes and Gerard Healy on SEN Sportsday to discuss his decision and career. Cornes asked Sloane some quickfire questions about his time in the AFL including who his best teammate was and who his toughest opponent was.
Check out Sloane’s responses below.
Cornes: “Who was the best player you played with? Because there’s been some champions.”
Sloane: “‘Danger’ (Patrick Dangerfield).”
Cornes: “Toughest opponent?”
Sloane: “Josh Kennedy from Sydney.”
Cornes: “Oh, that's a good one.
“What was your career highlight? Was it that 2017 run?”
Sloane: “Yes, my first game and that 2017 run.
“But it's probably people really, to be honest, people and moments.
“Those ones behind closed doors that no one sees but the enjoyment you get from winning games.”
Cornes: “The most underrated staff at a footy club?”
Sloane: “Oh wow, it's our staff upstairs definitely. Administration, marketing, everyone that helped us get out there and play.”
Cornes: “The game, the way it's changed with the sling tackles, the bumps and the crackdown on that because you love the competitive stuff … have those changes been good, or do you prefer the way it was perhaps 10 years ago?”
Sloane: “It's good for the head injuries, but I certainly loved my footy in those early days.”
Cornes: “You have a couple of young ones at home, would you advise them to take up AFL footy for a living when they're older?”
Sloane: “Absolutely. I've had the most incredible life to this point and a huge part of it has been my football career.
“16 years at Adelaide. I can’t imagine living in or being part of a funner environment and a better industry.
“I'm indebted to the club, but also to the whole AFL industry. I've had an absolute ball so I'll try to repay everyone whenever I can.”
Sloane will continue at Adelaide throughout the 2024 season helping out the football department, just not in a playing capacity.
Listen to his full chat with Cornes and Healy below.
