AFL round 7: Fremantle vs Adelaide, latest team news, Josh Rachele to return from injury

Adelaide will be without one of its Coleman Medal contenders when it takes on Fremantle, but has received welcome news with a forward’s unexpected return from injury.

Josh Rachele will provide an unexpected boost for Adelaide’s forward line on Anzac Day when he returns after being sidelined by fractured ribs.

But Rachele will not have Coleman Medal contender Darcy Fogarty for company against Fremantle after coach Matthew Nicks confirmed his bid to overcome a shoulder injury had failed.

Rachele fractured three ribs just under a month ago against North Melbourne when he was on the end of a knee from ruckman Tristan Xerri.

While Rachele was originally expected to miss about six weeks, the 22-year-old is set to return for the Crows — along with James Peatling after his suspension.

“We are confident with Josh, he is feeling fantastic,” Nicks said.

“We will do a light run today and we will do a little bit more (with Josh) to get him moving, make sure he is OK, probably have him run into a couple of bags.

“But he is really confident and I am as well.”

Josh Rachele was left sore and made his way to the bench after this collision with Tristan Xerri.

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Fogarty has been cleared of any structural damage, but Nicks said the knock to the shoulder could be one that keeps him out for more than the clash against the Dockers.

“We thought he might be a chance, him being a country boy and a tough young man,” he said.

“But SC joints they are quite painful and it might take a week or two.

“If you watch the vision back there is one where he takes a kick and that hurt more than the bump.

“There are a few things that he has to work through, it might just be time with this one.”

With Fogarty ruled out, Dan Curtin will play more forward after splitting time between attack and the wing so far in 2025.

“Our plan is to go in with a similar forward line,” Nicks said.

“With Dan we are asking a young kid now to step up and play a slightly different role. more of a target.

Josh Rachele will return to Adelaide’s team ahead of schedule.

Darcy Fogarty could miss multiple weeks as he battles a shoulder injury.

“He has played that role but not as much as we would like to have seen.

“It will be a good challenge for him, he is a big kid. He enjoys the contest so he will sort of slot into the role that Darcy has played for us and it is an important one.”

Nicks said the Crows had no current plans to rest talisman Taylor Walker and were hoping to capitalise on his strong form by keeping the veteran in the side.

“He doesn’t want to rest, I don’t really want him to rest also,” he said.

“He has been fantastic, it will be one that we keep talking about.

“He knows his body as well as any, last year was slightly different it was a back injury that can grind on you but this year he feels fantastic.

“So we are going to keep going and try and keep the momentum going that we have as part of a team and he is a big part of that.”

Originally published as AFL round 7: Fremantle vs Adelaide, latest team news, Josh Rachele to return from injury