CONCUSSED Adelaide star Rory Sloane thought a Crows trainer was his Melbourne tormentor Bernie Vince as medical staff tried to get him off the ground after being knocked out in Darwin last Saturday.
Crows captain Taylor Walker told Adelaide's Triple M radio on Wednesday that he "had a little smirk" when he saw Sloane attempting sidesteps to try to prove he should stay on the field.
"As soon as I walked over I saw in his eyes he wasn't with it and I recommended that he might go and sit on the bench," Walker said.
"He was pretty reluctant at first ... he thought one of the trainers was Bernie (Vince) and he said to him, 'Listen, Bernie, you're not me mate'."
Sloane was knocked out when his head hit the turf at TIO Stadium in a tackle from Dean Kent during the third quarter of Adelaide's 46-point win.
Vince, who was subsequently suspended for two matches for elbowing Eddie Betts and fined $1000 for bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Richard Douglas, has tagged Sloane in recent clashes between the two sides.
Walker said a decision on Sloane's fitness for Friday night's top-of-the-ladder match with Geelong would be made on Wednesday.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he has passed the concussion tests so far, but we have our main session today.
"If he gets through that, he should be fine for Friday night."