Adelaide Crows forward Josh Rachele has openly confessed that he must cease prioritising his own interests above those of his teammates. The talented young player was notoriously dropped late in the 2024 AFL season after failing to adhere to coach Matthew Nicks' fundamental "team-first values".
A Season of Reflection and Personal Growth
Rachele experienced a relatively subdued campaign last year, hampered by injuries that sidelined him for significant periods before an unexpected return during the semi-final loss to Hawthorn. As he approaches his 23rd birthday early in the upcoming season, the forward is demonstrating clear signs of personal maturation and professional development.
"In the past it's something that I've probably struggled with a little bit, trying to put myself first before the team, and I've learned a lot from that," Rachele stated candidly. "And for me now it's just making sure my footy does the talk, but also having fun with it too."
Balancing Social Media Stardom with Team Priorities
The dynamic forward, who has cultivated a substantial social media following as an emerging TikTok personality, acknowledges he has learned to better balance self-promotion with team obligations. "Tex tried to humble me pretty quickly when I got to the club," Rachele revealed, referring to teammate Taylor Walker.
"But I think he's starting to realise that it's a different generation now and a lot more people are using their platforms to help grow their brand. I think it's a prime example of guys who are playing footy and doing that — if that's a Jack Ginnivan, who had a great season last year or a Bailey Smith. They get scrutinised a lot but they do so much well on-field and they're just helping promote their brand."
Embracing Team Identity and New Opportunities
Rachele now expresses deeper commitment to the Crows' collective identity than ever before. This renewed focus coincides with potential increased midfield opportunities following Dan Curtin's knee surgery. "I've been training there the whole pre-season in the mids group and the last couple of seasons I've been there too, but this year's been a bit more," Rachele explained.
"I think no matter what, even if Dan wasn't injured, I was hoping to push my case a little bit." The forward has been actively learning from captain Jordan Dawson and roommate Jake Soligo as he prepares for this positional transition.
Overcoming Minor Setbacks
A minor knee-on-knee collision during training this week hasn't disrupted his preparations. Rachele remains scheduled for additional midfield exposure during a three-quarter match simulation at training, demonstrating his physical readiness and mental determination to contribute more significantly to the team's success in the coming season.
