Will Goodings: Dropping Rachele after Showdown comments letting ‘PC brigade’ run Crows’ selection

The son of an Adelaide Crows board member has slammed the Crows’ reported decision to drop Josh Rachele, comparing it to Geelong’s decision to back in Tyson Stengle.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUG 17: Josh Rachele of the Crows gestures to the crowd after scoring a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 23 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on August 17, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The son of an Adelaide board member says the “PC brigade” has taken control of selection at the Crows after reports this week Josh Rachele would be dropped.

Rachele joked on radio last week that Port Adelaide fans didn’t have teeth, and while celebrating a goal on Saturday night pointed to his teeth while facing the Power home crowd.

The Showdown was one of the most fiery in memory on and off the field, with Dan Houston suspended for five weeks for a bump on Izak Rankine, with a melee ensuing, while off-field Willie Rioli was racially vilified and a mascot punched in the face by a young fan.

Josh Rachele of the Crows gestures to the crowd after scoring a goal during the Showdown. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

FIVEAA host Will Goodings, son of Crows board member Graeme Goodings, bemoaned Rachele was being dropped for a joke.

“Is that where we’re at?” he said.

“He’s the best young small forward by (most goals kicked by an under 22 small forward) and his form’s been good.”

Rachele has kicked 30 goals this season, averaging just less than 14 disposals per game.

The reports come after Power chairman David Koch said both clubs needed to come together to take the “nastiness” of Showdowns, citing Rachele’s comments as one of the ways a minority of fans get worked up and take it too far.

“There’s a fine line that I think we need to be really aware of between banter and a bit of a nasty edge,” Koch said.

“Then to bring it into the game, you’ve got to be really confident in your own abilities because you’ve got to walk the talk.”

Will responds to reports Crow Josh Rachele has been dropped for the final game of the season 👀 pic.twitter.com/rjvXtiLj8l

— FIVEAA (@1395FIVEAA) August 21, 2024

Tyson Stengle was backed in by Geelong despite an indiscretion on a night out. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

Goodings compared the handling of Rachele to Geelong’s handling of Tyson Stengle after the former Crow – now Cat – was rushed to hospital after a night out.

“He got so written off he had to go to hospital after a game,” Goodings said.

“The leaders of that club came out and backed him in. Said ‘yeah, he’s got work to do but he’s a talented guy and works hard’ and Patrick Dangerfield was chief among them.

“His coach didn’t drop him that week, he picked him, said we support him.

“Now that’s a great club with a winning culture and a terrific coach and good leadership.”

He said the difference between the Crows and Cats couldn’t be starker.

“Compare this to Adelaide where Rory Laird, one of the leaders at the club, comes out and bags him in the media.

“If anyone this week deserves to be dropped for what they did in the media it’s for bagging a teammate, which is what Rory Laird did.

“Then he gets dropped by his coach despite acknowledging he’s in great form.

“I know which club I’d prefer to be supporting.”