Former Adelaide Crows captain Rory Sloane announces retirement

Former Adelaide Crows captain Rory Sloane has announced he will retire from the AFL after 255 games over 16 seasons. 

In a statement, the club said Sloane made "the difficult decision" in the best interests of his long-term health, following a second round of surgery on a detached retina earlier this year.

The veteran did attempt to wear protective glasses during training sessions this season in a bid to return to playing football.

But, the 34-year-old said life after football was too important to risk.

The former club champion and All Australian informed teammates of his decision this morning, after extensive consultation with doctors and eye specialists in recent months.

"I have given it my all to get back to playing and generally speaking my body is in great shape and I'm mentally fresh but ultimately, the risk of another eye injury is too great," Sloane said.

"More so, the impact it could have on my life and the potential for loss of vision. I've come to realise this is definitely not like the more common injuries you can get from playing the game.

"Our footy club is a special place and I have absolutely loved every minute of my career, and along the way I have grown and experienced so much as a person and footballer.

"So many of my important life moments, including getting married and having children, have been intertwined with my Crows journey, as well as the opportunity to make lifelong friends and ride the ups and downs of their lives too."

Sloane debuted in 2009, and won his first Malcolm Blight Medal as Adelaide's Club Champion in 2013.

He won his second best-and-fairest in 2016, and finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal that year.

Sloane was named co-captain alongside Taylor Walker in 2019 and was the club's solae captain from 2020 to 2022.

In 2021 he had his first surgery for a detached retina and in 2022, his season was cut short after a rupturing his ACL.

He returned in 2023 and signed on for this year, but has not played a game yet this season due to the recurring eye injury.

"I am not going anywhere in a hurry and will continue to be around the club, helping out when and where I can, for the remainder of the season," Sloane said.

"Footy and the Crows have been such a big part of my life and while I'm disappointed to not be playing anymore, there's also a feeling of pride as well as excitement for what lies ahead for not just me and my family but the club as well."

Adelaide Coach Matthew Nicks said Sloane's impact on the football club was hard to describe.

Coach Matthew Nicks wished the Sloane family all the best for the future.(ABC News)

"It's hard to actually come up with the appropriate words to describe Sloaney's impact on our club, other than to say he will go down as one of the most influential people to have ever come through the doors," Nicks said.

"I challenge anyone to find a more positive person and his courage and strength of leadership – in good and tough times – is right up there with the very best.

"His on-field achievements speak for themselves, but it's also his genuine care for others which stands out, and it's one of the fundamental values at our club.

"Come the end of the season, we'll miss not having Sloaney and Belinda, and their children Sonny, Bodhi and Summer, around the place as often and we wish them the very best."