Adelaide Crows track watch: Josh Rachele, Alex Neal-Bullen, Izak Rankine impressing in pre-season

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says Josh Rachele has had one of the best off-seasons he has seen in a long time. Plus other observations from the Crows’ first match simulation this summer.

Josh Rachele has had one of the best off-seasons Matthew Nicks has seen in a long time and recruit Alex Neal-Bullen has been one of the Crows’ top leaders this summer.

They were among the players receiving high praise from the coach after Adelaide’s first match simulation of the pre-season at Norwood Oval on Friday.

Rachele was dropped for the club’s last minor round game of 2024 for repeatedly not upholding its team-first standards.

Nicks told Adelaide supporters on Friday that the 21-year-old had been very impressive since the campaign ended.

Josh Rachele is receiving high praise. Picture: Dean Martin

“Josh Rachele has probably had the best off-season from a player I’ve seen in a long time,” Nicks said.

“To his credit, he’s put his head down and gone to work.”

Crows workhorse Ben Keays said some of Rachele’s growth had come from natural maturity, but he’d also had one of the best work ethics since arriving at the club at the end of 2021.

“I’d agree with Nicksy, he’s been fantastic,” Keays said of the 56-gamer.

“He’s a really hard worker … so it’s no surprise he’s improved so much since he came to the club.”

Rachele rotated between midfield and attack with Izak Rankine during Friday’s scratch matches.

Neal-Bullen flitted through those lines and shone.

He earned a free kick for holding the ball with a tackle on Dan Curtin and hit Taylor Walker with a neat forward 50 entry.

The ex-Demon is the only flag winner on Adelaide’s list and is already making his presence felt on and off the field.

“He’s a premiership player and he’s been one of best leaders at this point,” Nicks said of Neal-Bullen, who was traded in October for pick 28.

Keays knew Neal-Bullen’s game really well.

“When he was at Melbourne, he was one we looked at how he played his role,” he said.

“Myself, Josh Rachele, these guys, we sat down and looked at some Neal-Bullen vision to see how he played when Melbourne was up the top.

“He’s been brilliant.

“He brings an incredible work ethic and he’s already trying to teach guys.

“He’s going to be one of those strong guys that leads the way.”

Izak Rankine at Crows training on Friday. Picture: Mark Brake

Rankine was one of the standouts of the match simulation.

He burst out of the middle on several occasions, picking up where he left off last season.

Teams were initially divided into what looked to be As and Bs before a reshuffle had the Crows’ best forwards on their top defenders.

That meant Rachele, Neal-Bullen, Riley Thilthorpe, Walker and Darcy Fogarty going against Josh Worrell, Wayne Milera, Mark Keane, Jordon Butts, Mitch Hinge, Max Michalanney and Mitch Hinge.

Yes, Laird was in defence, where he was an All-Australian in 2017 and 2018, and spent time late last season.

With GWS recruit James Peatling boosting the midfield, Laird’s shift might become more permanent.

The top team’s on-ball unit featured the likes of captain Jordan Dawson, Matt Crouch, Rankine, Peatling, Jake Soligo and Reilly O’Brien.

They went against youngsters Dan Curtin, Sid Draper, Billy Dowling and SANFL ruckman Lachlan McAndrew.

Matthew Nicks offering instructions on Friday. Picture Mark Brake

​Draper ​w​ent head-to-head with fellow explosive on-baller Rankine on occasion​s.

Keays said Draper, last year’s pick 4, needed to keep playing to his strengths to be in the round-1 selection mix.

“He’s already shown some of his weapons,” he said.

“He’s had a little bit of a lighter introduction because he’s had a couple of little niggles that’s kept him out of full training.

“We’ve got to be patient with him.”

Wingman Lachie Sholl and hard nut Sam Berry both rolled ankles on Friday but were expected to be fine, as was on-baller Luke Pedlar after copping a sore shoulder in a terrific Luke Nankervis tackle.

Key defender Nick Murray did not train due to an abdominal strain.

He was tipped to return to the fold next week.

Originally published as Adelaide Crows track watch: Josh Rachele, Alex Neal-Bullen, Izak Rankine impressing in pre-season