A restless spectator for the Qualifying Final, Rory Sloane discovered that he’s not built for the coaches’ box.
Sloane, 27, made a bold bid to play against Greater Western Sydney just nine days after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix, but was ultimately ruled out on medical advice.
The Crows vice-captain said he struggled with an unfamiliar, off-field role at Adelaide Oval.
“I felt absolutely helpless in the box. That was probably the worst feeling, knowing that I couldn’t help influence the result in any way,” Sloane told Facebook Live: Inside the Four Walls.
“It was great to still be involved at half-time and before the game, to make sure guys were on track and on target.
“I was able to help out ‘Campo’ (Assistant Coach Scott Camporeale) a little bit, but I think I got more caught up in the game and the emotional side of it!”
Sloane played every game in the home and away season before being hospitalised with appendicitis.
It was Sloane’s second bout of surgery for the year after fracturing his cheekbone in the pre-season.
The All-Australian midfielder has returned to full training and is set to play in Friday night’s Preliminary Final.
“I wasn’t happy missing JLT (Community Series) games and then I ended up missing a final!” Sloane said.
“I’m feeling good. I missed out on a bit of work over a couple of weeks, so I was keen to make up for lost time and put a few extra kilometres in the legs.
“We’ve certainly enjoyed the last couple of weeks at training.
“There’s been a great vibe and great energy around the whole group and we can’t wait until Friday.”
Sloane starred with 28 disposals and three goals when Adelaide and Geelong last played in Round 18.
The two-time Club Champion was tagged by Mark Blicavs before the versatile Cat injured his ankle in the third quarter.
Blicavs held Sydney Swans captain Josh Kennedy to 20 possessions in last week’s Semi-Final.
Sloane expected Geelong to adopt a similar tactic with one of the Crows midfielders on Friday night.
“We’ll see how that goes,” he said.
“Whatever happens, happens and we’ll just deal with it.”
Sloane is one of eight current Crows who played in the heart-breaking Preliminary Final loss to Hawthorn at the MCG in 2012.
“It was a long time ago,” he said.
“It (the lesson) is more that these opportunities don’t come around very often … and you’ve got to perform in these sorts of games.
“A couple of guys who have been in the system, or been here for the last three years have come in for a couple of Semi-Finals and now a prelim final, but in the years before that we missed out on a couple of finals series.
“The majority of the group we’ve got now knows how hard it is to get here.”
