ADELAIDE'S recruitment of delisted North Melbourne veteran Sam Gibson caught many people by surprise on the last day of the NAB AFL Trade Period.
But vice-captain Rory Sloane didn't mind whatsoever, having had Gibson keep him on a tight leash during the Crows' shock round seven loss to the Kangaroos this year.
"I've played on Sam a few times and he touched me up last season, so it's going to be great not to have to run against him next year and be running with him this time," Sloane told AFL.com.au.
Gibson, 31, played 130 consecutive games for the Kangaroos and finished sixth in their best and fairest this year, but wasn't offered a new contract as the Kangaroos look to get games into younger players to continue their rebuild.
The Crows jumped at the chance to bring him into their midfield brigade, parting ways with pick 91 to get the deal done.
Gibson gives the Crows a genuine tagger, something they didn't have this year, although Riley Knight was deployed in run-with roles in certain situations.
The other big move the Crows made was acquiring Carlton star Bryce Gibbs, a year after they unsuccessfully tried to lure the former No.1 draft pick back to South Australia.
"We've got two quality people that we are absolutely pumped to come on board the footy club," Sloane said.
"It's unbelievable to get Bryce.
"We were hoping to get him last year and it didn't quite work out, but to get him this year is definitely going to help our midfield depth."
The Crows are hungry to go one better after getting blown out of the water by Richmond in the Grand Final, but the more immediate focus for Sloane is fulfilling a lifelong dream and representing Australia for the first time.
Sloane is part of star-studded Australian squad that will face Ireland in the two-Test International Rules Series, with games at Adelaide Oval on November 12, and Perth's Domain Stadium on November 18.
"It's an unbelievable line-up that we've got," Sloane said.
"It's just going to be good to spend a bit of time with them and have a bit of fun.
"The biggest part for me is I can't wait to play for Australia, pull on the green and gold for the first time.
"I've been incredibly jealous of other people in other sports, my sister (Australian women's volleyball representative Shea) included, that have been able to pull on the green and gold over the years, and I never could.
"It's going to be a great moment for me."
