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- May 11, 2019
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- AFL Club
- St Kilda
The reasons why Josh Rachele has been dropped by the Crows for round 24 clash with Sydney
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.
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
PLAYERCARDSTART
Matthew Nicks
- Age
- 49
- Ht
- 187cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 13.6
- 3star
- K
- 9.4
- 4star
- HB
- 4.2
- 3star
- M
- 4.1
- 4star
- T
- 1.7
- 4star
- G
- 0.7
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 6.6
- 2star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 2.2
- 2star
- M
- 2.2
- 3star
- T
- 1.4
- 4star
- G
- 0.4
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
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.
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