‘Alarmed’: Reason top AFL draftee doesn’t want to be picked by club

Things could soon get even worse for a struggling AFL team, with reports a young talent has concerns about being drafted there.

The Adelaide Crows could reportedly lose out on a star local talent in this year’s AFL Draft because of concerns over how the Crows manage their younger players.

Adelaide finished 15th on the ladder this season, missing out on finals for the seventh year in a row.

With the No. 4 draft pick, the Crows are expected to pursue Sid Draper, a 182cm midfielder who plays for South Adelaide. Draper has averaged 22 disposals in his six league games this year.

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But according to Seven News’ Josh Money, the teenager could look to be drafted to a Victorian club instead of the Crows.

Money said “those close to Sid Draper are worried about Adelaide’s ability to manage its younger players”.

“With Adelaide holding pick four in the draft and in dire need of young midfielders, many expect the Crows to pursue Draper.

“But it’s understood the Under 18 All Australian star prefers the move to a big Victorian club. “The Draper camp was alarmed by Adelaide’s handling of Josh Rachele at the end of the season, where he was dropped for the club’s final game and called out by a number of the Crows’ leaders.”

South Adelaide’s Sid Draper. Picture Corey Sutton/SANFL

The highly touted youngster may not end up at the Crows. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Many had tipped the Crows to improve in 2024, and while Izak Rankine had a breakout year in the midfield, fellow youngster Josh Rachele had a rollercoaster year.

Rachele’s season took a turn when he dropped crucial marks and was accused of shirking contact in Adelaide’s loss to Essendon in contact and dropping marks in April.

The 21-year-old again came under fire later in the season when he mocked Port Adelaide fans with a goal celebration in the Showdown.

In the lead up to the clash, Rachele stirred the pot when he said on Adelaide’s FIVEAA: “I did mention before that the Port supporters don’t have many teeth.

“I shouldn’t have said that … I know (it’s a Port home game).”

Asked if he expected a hostile reception, Rachele said he didn’t care if they booed him, adding “I love it”.

So when he booted the stunning goal, without missing a beat, the 21-year-old made a beeline for a group of Port fans, pointing to his teeth after his midweek sledge.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks initially backed Rachele, the coach speaking of “theatre” in his post-match comments and declaring “if we stamp that out we become robots”.

But Nicks and his match committee then promptly turned around and dropped Rachele from the side for Adelaide’s final clash of 2024 against the Swans in Sydney.

Josh Rachele’s goal celebration sparked a storm. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Crows captain Jordan Dawson said at the time: “Riling up the opposition crown and players unnecessarily is probably not going to benefit us to win the game.

“So that’s what we’re ultimately there to do, and play our roles and perform to the best of our ability.

“To get the opposition up and about before the game, doesn’t help us win, so that’s where we were coming from.”

Veteran Rory Laird, speaking on SEN in the aftermath of the fiery Showdown, said Rachele “continued on with it instead of letting his footy do the talking”.

Laird added: “He said it was a joke and a bit of a laugh, but it is something that we try to shy away from — it was a bit misaligned as to how we approach these games.”

Rachele has a turbulent year at the Crows. Picture: Dean Martin

Former West Coast defender Will Schofield said Laird’s post-Showdown comments about Josh Rachele were “a really bad look”.

“As a player, I certainly valued keeping things inside the locker room, and I know in strong teams that’s what’s important,” Schofield.

“So, to have senior players — I know Rory Laird was one of those guys — effectively putting Josh Rachele up on a pedestal, telling him he shouldn’t be doing these sorts of things in public, I think it’s a really bad look. That was my first reaction.”

“Of course, you need to sit Josh Rachele down and speak to him about how he speaks in public, and how he backs that up on the field — that’s a conversation you have inside your four walls, never outside,” he told Fox Footy.

“You don’t ever want to hang out a teammate to dry — especially young ones — so I thought that was really disappointing for Adelaide — and (it) probably summarises why they’ve been such a poor side this year.”