As the season progresses, Rory Sloane's future continues to be a topic of conversation.
It has now become clear, according to senior Fox Footy reporter Tom Morris that if Sloane chooses to leave the Crows, Hawthorn look to be early favourites to pick him up.
Sloane is originally from Victoria and it's no secret that he's considered a return home.
With Adelaide looking unlikely to make the finals this season, it's becoming more and more likely that their vice-captain may be leaving.
Many Victorian clubs have already been linked to Sloane, including the team he supported as a child, St Kilda.
However, Morris believes Hawthorn is the team Sloane will choose as he'll have no shortage of offers.
“Rory Sloane is still weighing up his future. He will go to a club of his choice as a free agent. Hawthorn is the leader in that category,” Morris told the Fox Footy Podcast.
“My read on it is that Hawthorn is more likely to have him next year than Adelaide at this point.”
If Sloane doesn't sign a contract extension with the Crows, he will become a restricted free agent in the off season. This will give the Crows the right to match any offer the 28-year-old chooses to accept.
Sloane has had a frustrating season as he's been forced to sit out with a nagging foot injury since round four. According to Morris, the injury may have an affect on Sloane's trade worth and the contract talks he's involved with.
“If he continues to struggle (with his foot injury) for the rest of the year, he might not have any value elsewhere and he might have to stay,” Morris said.
“(But) I think it is more likely that he leaves then stays at this point.”
Sloane said last November that he had “never been in a rush before, or let media decide when I should get my contract done”.
The Crows remain hopeful that their superstar will remain with them.
