Influential Crow Rory Sloane has been ruled out of Balfours Showdown XXXV with an eye injury.

Sloane, 23, was accidentally poked in the eye during Adelaide’s clash with Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night. Further examination has revealed a tear in the midfielder’s retina, which will keep him sidelined for at least two games.

Sloane will not be cleared to train until next Wednesday at the earliest.

The tough onballer, who was voted best Crow on the ground against Freo, has played every game this season and only missed one game since Round Seven, 2011.



Experienced pair Patrick Dangerfield and Ben Rutten are expected to return from injury against Port Adelaide on Sunday, while utility Shaun McKernan (ankle) will need to pass a fitness test.

Josh Jenkins, who sustained a season-ending fractured ankle, joins Sloane on the sidelines this week.