We are not reliant on Sloane. He's been down on form since round 6 and we still have been beating top 8 teams and sit on top of the ladder . You mustn't watch any of our games if you believe this . Port have failed against top 8 teams thus far . You are where you are because of a very soft draw.
I've watched every Crows game so far.
So let's go back and examine these post round 6 games and see how many times you beat a top 8 side while Sloane was tagged.
You beat Melbourne who were without 80% of their midfield quality (no Viney, Tyson, or Jones), so you were fine without needing Sloane because there wasn't an opposition midfield to compete against.
The Bulldogs (not a top 8 team mind you) didn't tag Sloane and he absolutely dominated them. A lot was made of this, as you may remember.
You barely limped over the line against Carlton, who are 16th, not top 8.
You lost against Hawthorn, who are 13th, not top 8, and Sloane did SFA.
Sloane did nothing against St Kilda and you won, but oh dear St Kilda are 9th, and not a Top 8 side.
Oh Geelong! Geelong are a top 8 team. Oh never mind they smashed you. Consensus amongst even your own supporters was that 4 goals was not a reflection of the match, that was like a 10 goal smashing. And Rory was well down, did SFA again, tagged by Scott Selwood.
Smashed Freo, but they're 12th, and Rory was BOG. Hmm.
Smashed Brisbane. Are they Top 8?
Played Melbourne, a top 8 team played after round 6, Sloane was tagged... and they smashed you.
And finally, round 7, you played North Melbourne who are in 17th place... And they smashed you.
So when you say "we have been beating top 8 teams" despite Sloane being tagged, you mean just once, and it was this weekend against a Melbourne outfit without any of their good midfielders. And you've struggled against bottom of the table teams.
And the cherry on top, your crown of ignorance:
You are where you are because of a very soft draw.
Adelaide have the softest draw in the comp!