The Adelaide Crows livewire has wreaked havoc in the AFL since entering the league as a small forward, but this year’s campaign will look more akin to his junior years as he shifts into an adjusted role.
Rachele has been utilised in a hybrid midfield capacity during match simulations, getting more minutes in the engine room as he gears up for his fifth season in the top flight.
“This year’s been a bit different; I’ve spent the majority of time with the midfield group,” Rachele told Foxfooty.com.au.
“In past years, it’s probably been in and out of the mids and forwards a bit, but this year’s been predominantly just the midfield group.
“I think the goal this year is to definitely play a bit more midfield — hopefully more of a 50-50 role — especially with Dan (Curtin) out pretty early. I think he was pushing to be in that standalone midfield group.
“But it’s great to have so many guys who can roll through; I think myself, Izak Rankine, even some of our other forwards like ‘Keaysy’ (Ben Keays) and (Alex) Neal-Bullen, they can all roll through there.”
The 22-year-old Shepparton Swans product has roved around the arc for the majority of his AFL career, proving he’s worth his salt as a crafty small forward.
But his skillset also caters to an in-demand archetype becoming more and more common.
With sides crying out for damaging midfielders who can impact the scoreboard from the centre, Rachele is keen to model his new game on one of the modern day greats.
“As a junior, I played a fair bit of midfield, and it probably wasn’t until later on that I (became) predominantly a small forward, but I used to do a fair bit of both,” he said.
“And I think I’ve got a different dynamic to most midfielders. There’s a different craft obviously for going from forward to the midfield, but I’m looking forward to it, I think it’s exciting.
“I’m very optimistic as well because there are no clear expectations. I think the main goal one day is to definitely be kind of like that Christian Petracca (type), 50-50 (split) rolling through.”
Staying fit will be crucial for the next phase of Rachele’s development.
The catalytic Crow registered 27 goals in just 14 games in 2025 - the second best return of his career - and while he was sidelined twice with a posterior capsular tear and broken ribs, Rachele is viewing the experience as a glass half full.
“I think I played 10 or 12 games without being subbed off — obviously from the two injuries I had, because I had broken ribs earlier in the year, too — and those 12 games were probably the best footy that I’ve played in my career so far consistently,” Rachele said.
“So it would’ve been great to see how the whole season would’ve panned out if I played 23 games.
“But it was such a great learning curve, and a great 10-week block to get my body right, get fitter, get stronger.
“I got to see the game through a different lens; it was great to be in the coaches’ box a few times, take some notes, sit in opposition analysis meetings. I was so hungry to get back for (my) first final.”
“Going into this year, I’m so optimistic about what our team can achieve, because we had such a great year and have got so many players that I think are going to keep building.”
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