AFL Round 24 teams: 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? Here’s the real answer, plus full Crows and Power teams.

Putting himself ahead of the team is a key reason behind Josh Rachele’s surprise omission.

Rachele has been 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.

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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.

Crows football boss Adam Kelly confirmed the reasoning, as first revealed by The Advertiser, when the team was officially announced, telling the club’s website they loved the energy Rachele brought but “collectively we must always prioritise the team-first focus, which is so central to our values and standards”.

“We have and will continue to work with Josh in this space, as we do with all of our players, coaches and staff,” Kelly said.

“He’s going to be a very important player for us for a long period of time.”

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.

Rachele celebrates his match-winning goal against Essendon in July. Picture: Mark Stewart

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.

Rachele was one of four Adelaide changes for its season-ending game against Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.

Veteran Taylor Walker, defender James Borlase, wingman Chayce Jones and eight-game midfielder Billy Dowling return, while forward Lachie Gollant (omitted), speedster Izak Rankine (concussion) and backman Mark Keane (family reasons) are the other outs.

Keane has been given the club’s permission to return to Ireland and is expected back for the return of pre-season amid links to his former club Collingwood.

Sam Powell-Pepper and Mitch Georgiades at Power training last week. Picture Mark Brake

Across town, Port has recalled forward Mitch Georgiades for Sunday’s last minor round clash against Fremantle in Perth.

Georgiades, who missed the past two games with a quad strain, was among five inclusions in the Power’s 26-man squad.

The four others – ruckman Dante Visentini, pressure forward Jed McEntee, half-back Josh Sinn and key forward Ollie Lord – were named on the bench.

Star defender Dan Houston (suspended) and Quinton Narkle (omitted) were the only outs.