Josh Rachele is a prized recruit the Crows can’t afford to lose. And public humiliation has consequences | Graham Cornes

If the Victorian-born star’s management isn’t calling Melbourne clubs already, you can bet they’re calling him, writes Graham Cornes.

It does seem harsh. Dropping Josh Rachele for engaging in some pre-Showdown banter, insensitive as it may have been, is surely an over-reaction. Or was it because his post-goal celebrations are seen as too “selfish”? He runs to the fans before embracing his teammates after kicking a goal?

It does have a certain “Look at Me” factor about it, but aren’t we being a little selective, even hypocritical? Didn’t we love it when Eddie Betts performed for the crowd, turning to them, running to them to seek their approval and adulation?

Nobody complained about James Hird leaping into the arms of ecstatic Bomber fans after kicking a vital goal.

And why wasn’t Mickey O’Loughlin censured for running to the fence and screaming into the face of that unfortunate, rather large West Coast Eagles supporter?

On form, Josh Rachele does not deserve to be dropped. There must be other reasons.

We aren’t privy to the discussions between Matthew Nicks and Rachele but the word from West Lakes is that as well as the rash media comments, it is about not always adhering to team values. He had been counselled before about the balance between self and team and previously been on the cusp of demotion.

There were other factors.

Josh Rachele training with Adelaide's SANFL team on Friday. Picture: Dean Martin

His less than full-blooded attack on the ball has been called out by the coach as well as sections of the media.

Additionally his attitude and body language towards teammates on occasions had not always been positive – it was nothing serious but another reason put forward when trying to justify such a harsh call.

However his great relationship with his housemates Jake Soligo and Luke Nankervis would belie the suggestion that he has been an outlier who operates by his own set of rules and doesn’t get on with his teammates.

To publicly humiliate a player will have ramifications.

Rachele is from Victoria. Taken at number six in the 2021 draft he is a prized recruit that Adelaide cannot afford to lose.

He may have a long-term contract but these things mean little when a player decides he wants out of a club.

If Rachele’s manager isn’t already contacting Melbourne-based clubs, they will be contacting him.

The club’s actions in dropping him for reasons other than form can only make him more vulnerable to overtures from other clubs.

Whatever the reason for his axing in the last game of the season, Josh Rachele is now seen as the scapegoat for the Crows loss to Port Adelaide in last week’s fiery Showdown.

While he and Darcy Fogarty were quoted extensively in the pre-game hype, the Port Adelaide crowd were silent.

They had learned their lesson. Do not give the media any comments that can motivate the opposition.

Do not say anything that will come back to bite you.

Remember Chad Cornes and that “dream game” comment in 2005? Port had snuck into eighth position then defeated fifth-placed North in the first elimination final.

The reward was having to play the Crows who had finished on top of the ladder but were beaten at home by fourth-placed St Kilda.

Port’s “dream game” was a semi-final Showdown at Football Park. It didn’t end well for them – beaten by 83 points.

Never mind that he meant where the game was to be played rather than disrespecting the Crows as an opponent, Adelaide took it personally and exacted a fearsome payback.

Before the past three Showdowns, the Port Adelaide players and coaches had been selectively quoted in pre-match media hype.

The word “hate” had been bandied around and quoted extensively.

The Crows soaked it up, said nothing controversial in response, and smashed them on game day.

Not this time though.

There was nothing inflammatory from Alberton. Just a determination that they had to win and wouldn’t be distracted.

The lighthearted gibe from Rachele who has a regular gig on Nova 919 should have just floated away in the ether.

After all, that “no-teeth” insult has been bandied around for decades. Personally I preferred the word “feral”.

It wasn’t overly clever but it was a response of sorts to the constant insults questioning one’s sexuality.

However, once Rachele’s comment was posted by the radio station, replayed by its sister station FIVEAA and hit the social media platforms, the outrage, faux or genuine, exploded. That’s OK if you can absorb it and back it up on match day, but he doubled down and taunted the Port fans by showing them his perfect teeth after kicking a vital goal in the second quarter.

Riley Thilthorpe and Josh Rachele celebrate against Essendon. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It seemed like a bit of harmless fun, particularly when the goal kept the Crows in contention in a tight game.

It certainly couldn’t be blamed for Adelaide’s implosion and loss of focus in the third quarter. More senior players were responsible for that.

It’s not unusual for high-profile players to face disciplinary action. Who remembers Tony Modra’s suspension in 1994?

Leading into a match against the bottom-placed Sydney, the biggest SA sporting star since Don Bradman missed a rehab session.

It shouldn’t have been a big deal and might have gone with a mild reprimand but the senior players were insistent that stronger measures should be taken to maintain discipline, so against my better judgement, he was suspended.

We lost. To the bottom-placed team.

The faint hope of playing finals evaporated with that loss. Principle prevailed over giving your team the best chance to win.

Josh Rachele celebrates the Crows win over Essendon. Picture: Mark Stewart

In 2007 former Geelong star Steve Johnson was famously suspended by the club for six weeks for off-season indiscretions.

He accepted the ban and returned a better player for it. In 2017 Fremantle dropped Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan for drinking. They accepted it.

Brad Crouch and Rory Atkins were suspended by the Crows in 2017 before a pre-season match.

Tyson Stengle was suspended by the Crows and subsequently sacked after three misdemeanours.

He famously found premiership success at Geelong who recognised his talent not his flaws. The list is long and seemingly endless. Some bounce back, others seek opportunities elsewhere.

Rachele’s indiscretions are nothing like that. It seems the club has underestimated the public reaction to its actions.

Additionally, the timing of Rachele’s axing could not have been worse.

After today, the season is over.

He will have no chance redeem to himself and fight his way back into the AFL team. It will be a long summer to stew over it.

He lines up today for the Crows SANFL team to play at Unley.

Ironically, he’s named in the back pocket where there is no adoring crowd to run to and little chance to celebrate spectacular goals.

Any determination to prove his coach wrong will be undermined by his humiliation.

If Josh Rachele stays he will emerge stronger and wiser for the experience but don’t be surprised if he’s played his last game in a Crows jumper.

Originally published as Josh Rachele is a prized recruit the Crows can’t afford to lose. And public humiliation has consequences | Graham Cornes