AFL 2023: All the Adelaide Crows news ahead of round 19 clash with Melbourne

After the loss to GWS, Crows fans are calling for changes – and they’re likely to get their wish. Here’s the latest from West Lakes, including who might come in for the MCG clash.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 15: Crows players after the loss during the 2023 AFL Round 18 match between the Crows and the GWS Giants at Oval on July 15, 2023 in, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Assistant coach James Rahilly suspects the Crows could ring in the changes for their clash against Melbourne at the MCG as they look to keep their finals chances alive.

Rahilly hinted that the Crows could mix up the starting 22 with some of the club’s midfielders performing well in the SANFL, while Elliott Himmelberg and Lachlan Gollant kicked four and two goals against Glenelg respectively.

“I think we will definitely look at that, I think the match committee will take a long look at that (changes),” Rahilly said.

“Nicksy (Matthew Nicks) said after the game that there are some boys that we need to reward for their good form.

“Having a couple of losses in a row it is something we will have to have a look at.”

Harry Schoenberg had 29 disposals and kicked two goals in the SANFL, Matt Crouch had 34 disposals, Jackson Hately 25 and a goal, while Luke Nankervis had 21 disposals and Patrick Parnell 23.

Jake Soligo is also a chance of coming back in after he was rested last week.

The Crows’ finals hopes hang in the balance after their loss to the Giants. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Young gun Josh Rachele will miss the next two games after the club accepted his suspension for striking Giant Jack Buckley.

Rahilly said it would be a good opportunity for Rachele to freshen up.

“I think it is just a good thing for Josh to re-set, we don’t want him to get suspended,” he said.

“We know he can be emotional, such as with his celebrations and when he is getting tested

but we have to see it as an opportunity for him to re-set and freshen up a bit.”   

While the Crows are now facing an uphill task to make the top eight, after sitting there for much of the season, Rahilly says it won’t be a wasted season if they can’t secure a finals berth.

“I definitely don’t think it will be a wasted season, the boys are still hopeful of getting there and working towards that,” he said.

“And I think the way we have played and the brand of footy, the confidence the young group has gotten from that and who we are has been great to see.

“So going to the MCG and playing Melbourne is a great test for where we are at.”

The Crows have now slumped to 12th on the ladder after they were defeated by GWS at home on Saturday night.

Josh Rachele will miss the next two games. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Reviewing it there was a lot of little things,” Rahilly said.

“All parts of the game, our contest and defence. They were able to get out the back of us a few times and get an easy score.

“They defended really well, their pressure was good and their defence held up really well

and unfortunately for me as the forwards coach our forwards couldn’t get it done like we usually have been able to do.”

It now has the Crows’ finals chances on life support ahead of tough matches against the Demons and then Port Adelaide in the Showdown.

The Crows have only won once on the road this year, and Rahilly said they were looking forward to try and rectify this in a game that had plenty on the line.

“Is it do or die? I don’t know mathematically, but it is a very important game,” he said.

“We need to go (and win) away and we are rapt to play on the MCG against Melbourne.

“It is really exciting for us, we nearly got the game won against Collingwood on the MCG and we are looking forward to trying again.”

Originally published as AFL 2023: All the Adelaide Crows news ahead of round 19 clash with Melbourne