Lightning has struck twice for the Adelaide Crows, with key midfielder Rory Sloane admitted to hospital today with appendicitis.
The club reported today that vice-captain Sloane had been admitted to hospital to have his appendix removed.
Adelaide’s website said Sloane reported abdominal pain this morning and “after extensive investigation in recent hours it was determined that surgery was required”.
“The Club remains hopeful the midfielder will be available for next Thursday’s Qualifying Final against Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval,” the website says.
Having laboured under opposition tags for much of the season, Sloane has been back to his influential best of late, with 38 possessions and nine tackles as the Crows’ stand-in captain against West Coast on Sunday.
Bizarrely, star forward Eddie Betts missed Adelaide’s draw with Collingwood in late July after also having his appendix removed.
He told reporters after his operation he had “never felt that pain before”.
Sloane had been scheduled to front media for a routine press conference this morning, with forward Tom Lynch stepping in instead.