He's dropped, Matt Turner wouldn't have gone to print without confirmation.
The reasons why Josh Rachele has been dropped by the Crows for round 24 clash with Sydney
Adelaide is adamant its decision to drop Josh Rachele is not motivated by political correctness. And his recent numbers read well. So, what is it? MATT TURNER Has the answer.
Putting himself ahead of the team is a key reason behind Josh Rachele’s surprise omission.
Rachele is set to be dropped for the Crows’ last game of the season on the back of his Showdown celebration mocking Port Adelaide fans.
After Rachele joked Power supporters “don’t have many teeth” in his weekly radio spot leading up to the match, Adelaide was understood to have told the 21-year-old to focus on the game and not incite the crowd.
Running towards Port fans pointing to his teeth when he kicked a brilliant second-quarter goal was viewed internally as ignoring instructions and being yet another case of the small forward going against what was best for the side.
The Crows believed Rachele, who did not fully commit to a crucial 50-50 contest in the centre of the ground last Saturday night, needed to become more team-first.
Ollie Wines tackles Josh Rachele during Showdown 56. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos
They are adamant their decision is not motivated by political correctness over the Victorian’s radio comments and his axing has been on the radar for a while.
Form was part of Adelaide’s reasoning despite Champion Data player ratings ranking Rachele sixth among general forwards over the past five games.
Just three weeks ago, Crows coach Matthew Nicks described the game against Geelong Rachele’s best for the club.
The Shepparton product backed that up with two goals from 10 disposals in Adelaide’s home win over the Western Bulldogs, before his quieter 10-touch, one-major, two-tackle performance last Saturday night.
Rachele is one of just six players across competition to average at least goals, one score assist and six score involvements over the past five weeks.
He ranks first at the Crows and equal-19th in the AFL this year for goal assists with 18, as well as third at the club for majors with 30.
While Adelaide had weighed up dropping him earlier this season, Rachele had played every game this year.
He told this masthead last week he felt his form had improved since the bye on the back of improving his defending and playing closer to goals.
Adelaide is mindful Rachele – the club’s sixth pick in the 2021 national draft – is still young and learning.
He is contracted to the Crows until the end of 2029 and they are expected to knock back any rivals that come calling at season’s end.
Cool so if it’s just form, what’s another week knowing how the story would play out when we’ve got nothing left to play for.
