Above: Adelaide Crows young gun Rory Sloan gives Selby Primary School students Duncan, Megan and Jessica a few footy tips during a visit to his former hills home.
By Casey Neill
ADELAIDE midfielder Rory Sloan is making his mark on the AFL – thanks to the playing style he developed during his junior years in the Dandenongs.
The 21-year-old took to the field for Upwey Tecoma Football Club from under-10s to under-16s, and is now fast developing a reputation for tough tackling and contested possession at the elite level.
“I suppose that’s how I grew up playing,” he said.
“Playing up in the hills it’s real muddy and you sort of had to always tackle and always go after the ball.
“That’s flowed over and it’s a strength in my game now.”
Sloan made his debut for the Crows against Hawthorn in round 20 in 2009 – and a staggering seven tackles.
He’s since notched up 33 games, won the club’s 2010 emerging talent award, and recorded a career-high 36 disposals, 10 marks and four tackles in rund 21 this year.
“This year I felt a lot more comfortable playing footy,” he said.
“First and second year I always got a little nervous.”
Next year he’s looking forward to the challenge of a new coach and younger side.
“I really want to be a leader down at the team and hopefully have a good season myself,” he said.
Sloan captained the 2008 Eastern Ranges TAC Cup side, and said a stint as Adelaide’s skipper might be in his future.
“Not quite at the moment. I think I’m still a long way off that, but it will definitely be something I’m aiming for in the future,” he said.
The Mail caught up with Sloan at a footy day at Selby Primary School on 19 October.
He posed for photos, helped the kids with kicking and handball competitions and signed plenty of autographs.
“It’s still strange. It still feels weird that people want your autograph and that sort of thing,” he said.
“But it’s good coming back and I love coming up here.”
It was tough for him to move interstate when Adelaide drafted him at pick 44 in November 2008.
“I did everything in Upwey,” he said.
“It was a little scary at the start, but I think mum and dad brought me up pretty well.
“I just took it as an opportunity, to move states and meet new people and build a new life over there.
“I love it now. I have a lot of fun over there.
“It’s kind of similar to Upwey – it’s a little bit bigger than Upwey and a little bit smaller than Melbourne.”
Sloan’s friends and family visits often, and he returns to the hills as often as he can.
“It takes longer to drive from the airport to Upwey than it does on the plane from Adelaide to Melbourne,” he said.
He hopes to make a permanent return to Upwey – and the town’s footy club – once his AFL playing days are over.
“And I wouldn’t mind one day playing footy with my brother, Dylan,” he said.
“I’ve kept an eye on them all year and kept speaking to Dylan, and I got out and watched the grand final and that was super exciting for him and the whole footy club.”
