In Rory Sloane’s acceptance speech as the 2013 Crows Club Champion, the influential midfielder reaffirmed his desire to be a one-club player with Adelaide.

But Sloane revealed this hadn’t always been the case, divulging his fears and apprehension about moving 800km away from friends and family when his name was called out by Adelaide with pick No.44 in the 2008 AFL National Draft.

“I definitely didn’t think I’d want to be a one-club player the day I got drafted. I was actually pretty emotional even though I never really showed it,” Sloane said on Friday night.

“The night I was drafted, I went out to my local bar and had a very big night. I ended up in the toilets crying in my brother’s arms saying, ‘I don’t want to go to Adelaide. I don’t know how I’m going to do it’. If you asked any young guy from Victoria if he wanted to move away from everyone and go to Adelaide, they’d probably be a bit sceptical about it.

“But I came over and I loved it. I trained here for about six weeks. I saw how the Club was run and trained alongside the likes of Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards – I got to learn off those guys and they’re legends of the game. I was humbled by being able to do that and of course you’re going to want to stay after experiencing that.

“I love the Club. I love my teammates. I love playing for this group and under Sando and the rest of the coaches. I think we’re a part of something special.

“I just can’t wait for the next few years and I’d never think about leaving.”

Sloane’s love and care for his Club and teammates meant he felt conflicted as he took to the stage to accept the Malcolm Blight Medal and gold jacket as Adelaide’s best and fairest player in 2013.

The 23-year-old finished third in the award last season as part of the team that fell one straight kick short of reaching the Grand Final.

“I’m very proud, but it’s hard winning it in this sort of year for the Club,” Sloane said.

“Last year was different because we had such a good team year. I’d much rather finish third (in the Club Champion) and be involved in a great team year … like reaching the prelim last year, I loved that so much. This is great as well and I’m very humbled and thankful.

“I never expected to win this. I thought ‘Dougy’ had it wrapped up until late and then I was hoping we’d (tie) and both end up here.”

Sloane and Richard Douglas were tied on 64 votes after Round 21, but Sloane polled seven votes to Douglas’ four in the last two games to finish three clear of his midfield teammate.

Although bitterly disappointed not to be part of the finals series, Sloane was pleased he played out the season strongly and tipped the Crows to bounce back into the top eight in 2014.

“Last year, I was really disappointed with the way I finished the season. I didn’t have the best finals campaign, which was disappointing because that’s when your team needs you the most,” he said.

“I just want to help the team get better and get to finals. All I ever want to do is win a premiership and I want to help everyone here to do that.

“This year, we weren’t ruthless enough or mentally strong enough to run out some games, but with a great pre-season we can definitely train that. Once we’ve done that, I’m sure we’ll be fine because we’ve got a lot of games into younger guys, who are going to be very important for us. This year didn’t go the way we planned, but I definitely think we’re on the right track.

“We’ll definitely make finals next year, I promise you.”

Sloane joins the likes of Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod and Simon Goodwin in claiming the Crows Club Champion award. But it’s hard to recall a more popular winner.

The Convention Centre erupted when Sloane was announced as the Malcolm Blight Medallist, and the spirited onballer was ‘trending’ nation-wide on Twitter on Friday night.

Chairman Rob Chapman summed it up perfectly in his toast to Sloane.

“Rory is universally loved by our supporters and his teammates and 100 per cent respected by everyone in the competition. You couldn’t hope for a better Malcolm Blight Medallist,” Chapman said.

“I think you’ll all agree that jacket looks pretty good on Rory. I know he’s going to have a lot of competition, but I suspect it’s not the last time we’ll see it on him.”

Rory’s thankyous …

“I’d like to thank the coaches, Sando and (midfield coach) Scott Camporeale, and everyone I’ve played with this year. The year didn’t go the way we planned, but I definitely think we’re on the right track. We’ll definitely make finals next year, I promise you.

“I’d like to thank (Recruiting Manager) Hamish Ogilvie so much because he’s always showed faith in me that I could get to where I’ve got to so far. I’d like to thank all the recruiters who actually brought me to Adelaide.

“Thanks to Simon Goodwin, Neil Craig and Charlie Walsh. They taught me how to train hard and at an AFL standard – that’s how you get success, through your training standards.”

“I’d like to thank my partner, Belinda. Belinda moved over here a couple of years ago and has made it feel more homely for me. We’ve got a couple of dogs and live by the beach. I love where we live and the life we’ve got. I can’t thank you enough.

“I have to thank my parents so much too. For some reason, I always mess up the thankyou to my parents in speeches. Last year, I thanked them for picking up dog poo in the backyard which is not what I want them to be remembered for! The way my mum and dad and brother and sister brought me up, I can’t thank them enough. They’re here tonight and I love you so much.

“We’ll celebrate this together because it means a lot to all of us.”