‘Needs his head punched in’: Josh Rachele’s savage celebration infuriates fans

Adelaide’s Josh Rachele has left Port Adelaide fans seeing red after delivering one of the most savage goal celebrations of the year.

Josh Rachele couldn't help himself. Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

Adelaide Crows young gun Josh Rachele has left Port Adelaide fans seeing red after celebrating a brilliant goal in the second quarter of the Showdown.

But it’s seemingly only inspired Port Adelaide as the Power’s top two chances stay alive after an 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) win at Adelaide Oval.

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The Crows were down 31-24 when a tapped down boundary throw in was handballed to an unmarked Rachele on the edge of the 50m, kicking around the corner and splitting the goal right down the middle to make it a one-point game with five minutes left in the first half.

The Crows would take a 6.6 (42) to 4.9 (33) lead to the halftime break but it only came after Rachele ignited the crowd by following up on his words earlier in the week.

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.

“And he gives it right to the crowd,” Adam Papalia said in Fox Footy commentary.

“He’s just asking for trouble,” Ben Dixon said.

To be fair, the fans gave it back to him, hurling abuse and flipping the bird at the youngster.

Mark Ricciuto suggested Rachele “might need an escort to the car”.

At the halftime break, Ben Dixon said: “You’ve got to back it up if you’re going to gob off during the week.”

Ricciuto added: “That was a cracking goal off one step and went straight over to the Port Adelaide crowd and said ‘have a look at my gob’.

“Gee whiz, he might not have them there after the game if he doesn’t get taken to the car. We need fun in footy, we need characters in footy but I’ll tell you what, you’ve got to back it up.”

Rachele stirs up the crowd. Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Rachele couldn't help himself. Photo: Fox Sports

Fans were quick to react.

A Cats fan wasn’t thrilled by the vision, tweeting: “I hope Port wins to shut that lil smart a**e Rachele up! You’re a d**khead!”

A Port fan added: “Rachele needs his head punched in.”

Another suggested that he had “no respect”.

But there were plenty more who were loving it.
“Rachele just taunting the Port supporters about the teeth! That’s gold!” athlete Drew Semmens posted.

Another fan wrote: “Rachele doing the no-teeth celebration is f**ken amazing. Looking like a midcard WWE heel in 2006 with that buzz cut too.”

Another posted: “Credit to Rachele for kicking a goal and backing up his talk. Huge from him.”

Another labelled it a “season highlight”, while it was also called a “Top 5 all time celly from Rachele”.

Before the match, 300-game Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes while speaking on his SEN Breakfast show said Rachele would want to play the game of his life.

“So, he’s gone there. He also said, ‘It’s a mini Grand Final’,” Cornes said.

“Josh, you’re bottom four if it’s a mini-Grand Final there’s not a whole lot going for them.

“But anyway, as a young player, he’s going to learn and he’s quite out there – we love that, the media stuff and the celebrations – but if you go there, you’d want to play well.

“It’s good, provided that you back it up. I just want a strong contest because there have been times this year where he hasn’t provided a strong contest.”

Port Adelaide responded in the second half. Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Crows have stood up in recent Showdowns having won the last three even though Port are chasing a top four finish and the Crows are already planning their post-season holidays having already locked in 15th spot on the ladder.

But while the Crows led at half-time, the Power showed just why they’ve locked in a top four spot, powering home for the 22-point victory.

Port Adelaide took a two-point lead into the three-quarter break, before opening up a commanding lead in the fourth.

Post-match, Port’s Zak Butters said Rachele’s comments “fired up” the Port fans, leading to an enormous atmosphere for the local derby.

Originally published as ‘Needs his head punched in’: Josh Rachele’s savage celebration infuriates fans