AFL pre-season: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide match, result and news

Adelaide was outclassed by a hungry Brisbane outfit but the Crows believe the performance was a summer aberration as they set their sights on the 2022 season opener.

Adelaide’s top draft pick from last year has provided a little sunshine during a bleak first internal trial on the Gold Coast on Friday.

Josh Rachele, who the club snared with pick 6 in November, booted three goals and all but locked away a Round-1 debut with an eye-catching performance in the Crows’ 88-point loss to Brisbane at Metricon Stadium.

In wet conditions after heavy overnight rain, the 18-year-old small forward made the most of his chances, kicking one major from a 55m set shot, another on the run and was otherwise tidy in possession.

Crows senior assistant Scott Burns viewed the team’s performance as a summer aberration but was not surprised by Rachele’s showing.

“He’s been doing that in the pre-season – when he’s had opportunities, he certainly finishes his work,” Burns said.

“I think his first kick he had at training was a left-footer on the run that went through.

“He’s a beautiful timer of the ball and he obviously gets good purchase.

“It was a pretty tough day at the office (for the team).

“In terms of what we’ve done pre-season, that’s a complete outlier.

“We’ve actually been training very well, things have been solid.”

Josh Rachele is firming for a Round 1 debut.

With Adelaide fielding just five players with more than 50 games to their names, the gulf in experience and class between the two teams was stark.

Rory Sloane, Brodie Smith, Taylor Walker, Paul Seedsman, Tom Doedee, Jordan Dawson and Wayne Milera were among the visitors’ sidelined players.

Although it was missing Dayne Zorko and Eric Hipwood, Brisbane looked like a team hungry to atone for last year’s straight-sets finals exit.

Burns said a little bit of doubt or hesitancy would have crept into the inexperienced Crows as tackles broke, ground balls were mishandled and free kicks were given away.

“They’re a very, very good team who were too good around the ball and didn’t lose too many contests forward or back,” he said of the Lions.

“When you come up against a team that’s been top-four for the last three years, it’s good for the younger players … to see the level they’re consistently playing at for four quarters.”

Burns highlighted the discrepancy between the Victorian and SA Covid close contact rules that stopped up to eight Crows from potentially being available on Friday.

He also put the loss into perspective, pointing to last pre-season.

Adelaide was belted by Port Adelaide twice – by 52 and 71 points – heading into the 2021 minor round, yet shocked flag contender Geelong in its first match.

“From a supporters’ point of view and a public perception point of view, it’s a practice game and they’re forgotten about pretty quickly,” Burns said.

“We know this pre-season’s better than the one before, it’s just disappointing for those watching at home and haven’t been involved with us internally that it’s what they’ve seen today.”

Burns was pleased Matt Crouch got through his first game since last pre-season.

The ex-Collingwood captain also liked what he saw from draftee wingman Jake Soligo, who competed well against the hardened Lions midfield.

Adelaide only had 28 players to pick from on Friday and Burns was unsure how many others would be available for the club’s trial match against the Power next week.

MATCH NOTES: CROWS CRUMBLE UNDER LIONS PRESSURE

Adelaide’s inexperience showed in its 88-point practice game loss to likely premiership contender Brisbane at Metricon Stadium on Friday.

Missing veterans Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker, wingman Paul Seedsman, defender Tom Doedee, star recruit Jordan Dawson and the classy Wayne Milera, the Crows matched the Lions early before being outscored 18 goals to five after quarter-time.

Many times Brisbane players cleverly used their bigger bodies to edge their Adelaide opponent off the ball in the wet conditions.

The Crows’ forwards were starved of opportunity for large stretches of the last three terms.

Josh Rachele’s first game in tricolours was a clear highlight for Adelaide.

Brisbane was a far better side but it was tough to get a read on the Crows due to it being the first trial game and them having so many key players out.

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Josh Rachele under pressure from Brisbane’s Zac Bailey.

WHO STARRED

BRISBANE

Lions coach Chris Fagan forecast less time in the midfield for Lachie Neale this year but the Brownlow medallist was around the ball for most of the match and dominated.

Neale had his imprints all over the first half as Brisbane built a 38-point lead.

There was a hip shake to shrug a tackle on the wing that eventually led to a goal, a classy pick-up in the wet conditions and a clever snap to slot a major from the pocket.

Jarrod Berry, who was restricted to 11 games during an injury-hampered 2021, impressed with three goals, playing in the midfield.

Valued at $268,500, the 24-year-old could be a handy KFC SuperCoach option this season.

Zac Bailey and Daniel McStay (four goals) were also influential.

Lachie Neale was all class for the Lions.

ADELAIDE

Rory Laird picked up where he left off last season, finding plenty of the ball on a difficult day for the Crows’ midfielders.

Harry Schoenberg showed why he had been talked up as one of the club’s pre-season standouts, looking very comfortable as a mainstay in Adelaide’s engine room.

But most Crows fans are bound to remember the match for Rachele’s performance.

He came as advertised, providing spark in attack, kicking goals and showing poise and skill in possession.

The 18-year-old booted three of the Crows’ seven majors.

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Jarrod Berry dominated for the Lions.

Mitch Hinge and Lachie Neale climb for a mark.

MAGNETS MOVED

BRISBANE

Both Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner were fixtures in the middle – something Fagan flagged during pre-season.

Sporting a shaved head, Rayner, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, took a while to work his way into the contest.

But he finished as one of his side’s better players and fiercely attacked the ball.

Bailey set up several goals and could have kicked a few more himself if not for inaccuracy.

Their extra midfield minutes led to ex-Crow Jarryd Lyons playing a decent chunk of the game at half-forward.

ADELAIDE

Former forward Ben Davis got an opportunity at halfback, where he spent last season at SANFL level.

Sam Berry’s development and improved fitness helped him earn decent on-ball minutes on Friday.

Last year he was mainly used as a small forward who could pinch-hit in the middle.

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Joshua Rachele was brilliant with three goals on debut.

RECRUITS/DRAFTEES WATCH

BRISBANE

Ex-Geelong big man Darcy Fort pushed his case to support Oscar McInerney in the ruck in Round 1, having an influence in the middle and attack.

Darcy Wilmot, who was taken with the 16th selection in last year’s draft, did not look out of place, zipping from halfback through the middle on several occasions.

ADELAIDE

Aside from Rachele, fellow draftee Jake Soligo (pick 36) also played his first match for the club and had some decent passages playing around the ball.

ROUND 1 BOLTERS

BRISBANE

While not a bolter as such, Noah Answerth reminded Lions fans had some nice moments, including kicking two goals on the run, in his first game since Round 17, 2020.

Answerth missed all of last season with groin problems.

ADELAIDE

Rachele looks certain to feature against Fremantle in the opening round, while former Brisbane utility Mitch Hinge has put his hand up to be picked, toiling hard at halfback.

Hinge only played once in his first season at the Crows last year – in Round 1.

Soligo did enough to stay in contention for an early debut, even once the cavalry returned.

Originally published as AFL pre-season: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide match, result and news