‘Significant concern’ for key Crows forward Josh Rachele in comeback win

Adelaide steadied their top four credentials with a comeback victory over Melbourne, but a worrying injury dampened their celebrations.

Adelaide have steadied their top four credentials with a fighting 13-point comeback victory against Melbourne on Sunday, although a potentially serious injury to Josh Rachele dampened their celebrations.

The Crows were at one point down by 28 points at the halfway mark of the second term, but stormed home to kick truly after half time and win 13.12 (90) to the Demons’ 11.11 (77).

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It now means Melbourne have lost their last five matches and continue to flirt dangerously close with the bottom four. As for the Crows, it turns around their previously poor record against the Dees, having lost five of their last six match-ups before Round 17.

Superstar Crow Izak Rankine kicked three of Adelaide’s first four goals for the match, before going on to have a breakout third term that saw him register his second-ever five-goal haul at AFL level.

Josh Rachele is held by a trainer after injuring his knee against the Demons. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

He was aptly supported by veteran Taylor Walker, particularly in the first half, before Darcy Fogarty and Ben Keays rose to the occasion after the main break.

For the Demons, stalwart Jake Melksham continued his stellar form to kick four more majors — having now kicked 9.7 in his last two matches.

The hosts will be sweating on the short-term fitness of livewire Rachele, however, who went down with a suspected serious knee injury on the cusp of half time.

The 22-year-old was subbed out not long after some quick boundary side testing.

“It’s a significant concern for him, having had broken ribs earlier this season and now coming back and hyperextending the knee,” Fox Footy reporter David Zita said at half time.

Reilly O'Brien and Taylor Walker celebrate after the comeback victory. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He didn’t look to be in extraordinary pain which is a good sign at least early … eventually he got into a jog and came from the ground with the help of trainers.

“Obviously the ACL’s what everyone gets scared of (but) hopefully he’s avoided that.”

Rachele landed awkwardly on his left leg late in the first half and coach Matthew Nicks gave little away when asked about his prognosis after the game.

“It’s one that we’re really mindful of not making any big statements around because we don’t know,” Nicks said.

“We won’t know until he has a scan, but it was enough of a concern that we had to sub him out.

Izak Rankine had another day out for the Crows. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Melbourne built a solid lead before the Crows came storming back. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“And without going into any more detail, it’s going to be a scan and our fingers are crossed.

“I haven’t seen him as yet, but I’d say he’d be pretty disappointed, as you can imagine.

“But we’ll just hope for the best … we’ll have positive thoughts.”

After a first term filled with inaccurate kicking, the Demons went from registering 1.6 before quarter time to 5.1 in the second stanza to periodically blow Adelaide out of the proverbial water.

Six minutes into the second quarter, the Demons had 33 disposals to the Crows’ six, as Kysaiah Pickett came to life while the home side continued to kick it down the throats of Melbourne defenders going inside forward 50.

And if it weren’t for Rankine — who kicked three of his side’s first four goals — and veteran star Walker, the margin would’ve been even greater.

“They (Adelaide) haven’t been their usual selves with their ball use,” Mark Ricciuto said at half time.

“It’s probably his best game for a long time,” 1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said of Rankine after his goal assist to Zac Taylor in the third term.

Rankine surged again after half time to kick goals four and five, while All-Australian contender Ben Keays once again stepped up in the big moments to ensure the Crows’ 11th win came this weekend.

Rankine’s bag of five has him become the sixth Adelaide player this season to kick more than 20 goals.

Only Geelong have five players who have kicked over 20 goals or more this season.

After the final siren, it still remained unclear as to the extent of Rachele’s injury — with hopes it is a hyperextension and not a rupture or tear in one of his knee’s ligaments.

And in a moment that was initially just as concerning, former Crow Jake Lever left the field of play with a brave face — but with similar knee worries to Rachele.

Originally published as ‘Significant concern’ for key Crows forward Josh Rachele in comeback win