An inspired performance from Rory Sloane wasn’t enough to get Adelaide across the line against Geelong, emphasising the need for a more even Crows contribution.

As always, Sloane worked tirelessly for his team on Friday night.

The tenacious midfielder topped Adelaide’s possession count with 28, and also amassed game-high clearances (nine), inside 50ms (seven) and tackles (11).

He kicked a clutch goal to bring the Crows within a point of the Cats late in the third quarter, and gained more metres than any other player with the exception of running defender, Ricky Henderson.

Unfortunately, the Crows didn’t have enough winners across the ground – the opposite of what could be said following their four wins in the opening six rounds of the season.

“That’s probably the most disappointing thing,” Sloane said after Friday night’s loss.

“We need everyone playing their role week in, week out. That’s why we’ve won games this year.

“But the boys will be fine. We’ll bounce back and we’re keen to take on Gold Coast next week.”

Sloane’s standout display came opposed, largely, to friend and ex-teammate Patrick Dangerfield.

It was an enthralling battle between two fierce competitors, and hard to split the points at the end.

It wasn’t the first time Sloane and Dangerfield have gone head-to-head on a football field.

There’s still debate over who won the battle that day nearly a decade ago as well.

“Last time ‘Danger’ and I played on each other was in Under-18s in the TAC Cup, so it’s been awhile,” Sloane said.

“I enjoyed playing with him and I enjoyed playing on him as well. I actually got to get stuck into him a bit as well, which was all fun and games.”

After being within two points of the wayward Cats at the final change, Adelaide had an opportunity to take the lead for the first time early in the last quarter. But it wasn’t to be, and Geelong piled on four quick goals to set up a well-earned 26-point win.

“Looking back, we probably could’ve been out of it early in the game (if Geelong had kicked straight in front of goal),” Sloane said.

“It was good perseverance by the guys to keep ourselves in the game and we’ve done that a bit this year, but against good sides we just can’t keep giving up so many inside 50ms.

“We’ll definitely have to continue to look at that and see what we can do there.”

After being comprehensively beaten at the clearances by the Western Bulldogs last weekend, Adelaide managed to even up the count against Geelong (40 – 42).

But the Cats had 50 more handball receives as they worked the ball into space, and also committed 17 fewer turnovers.

“They were probably a bit cleaner than us spreading out of the stoppage,” Sloane said.

“I think we got a lesson in when we should be a bit cleaner with the ball, and when we can run the ball forward and give our forwards a better go at it.

“We can’t afford to turn the ball over as much going forward.”

A crowd of 54,158 flashed up on the scoreboard in the second half on Friday night – an AFL record at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval.

The official AFL figure, minus non-paying customers including Adelaide Oval staff, was 53,141 – the Club’s biggest-ever attendance at the venue.

Sloane was full of praise for the devoted Crows fans.

“It was huge. When it got really close it was so loud out there,” he said.

“We can’t thank the fans enough. It’s amazing to play in front of a crowd like that.”