Joshua Rachele (/rəˈʃɛli/ rə-SHELL-ee;[2] born 11 April 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League (AFL).
| Josh Rachele | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Joshua Rachele | ||
| Nickname(s) | Rash, Shelley, J-Rach[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 April 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team(s) | Murray Bushrangers (Talent League) / Caulfield Grammar (APS) / Shepparton Swans | ||
| Draft | No. 6, 2021 AFL draft | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 2022, Adelaide vs. Fremantle, at Adelaide Oval | ||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Small forward / Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Adelaide | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2022– | Adelaide | 54 (67) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 21, 2024. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
He was selected by the Adelaide Crows with their first pick, the sixth overall, in the 2021 AFL draft. He previously played for the Murray Bushrangers in the NAB League and the Shepparton Swans Football Club in the Goulburn Valley League.[3] He was educated at Notre Dame College, Shepparton and Caulfield Grammar School.
Rachele had had an opportunity to play soccer professionally but chose Australian rules football instead.[4] He was part of the academy for Melbourne City FC and the under-17s Australian team.[5]
He has Italian and Greek heritage.[6]
AFL career
editRachele made an immediate impact at the Crows, kicking five goals on debut against Fremantle in the opening round of the 2022 AFL season.[7] In Round 4, Rachele received a Rising Star nomination in Adelaide's game against Essendon, in which Rachele took 9 marks, kicked 3 goals, and collected 19 disposals.[8]
Rachele became known for his goal celebrations imitating the likes of Tim Cahill[9] and Kylian Mbappé. On June 21, 2023, Rachele signed a contract extension which would keep him at the club until 2029.[10] At the time, this was the longest current-standing contract of any player at Adelaide, equal with fellow draftee Jake Soligo.[11]
Rachele faced a lot of criticism from the media in the first half of 2024, particularly for a few missed opportunities against Essendon in round 6.[12] Rachele redeemed himself against Essendon in round 19 when one of his three goals was a last-minute match-winner.[13] His celebration, during which he ran to the crowd and hugged a fan, mimicked James Hird's celebration 20 years prior.[14] Rachele was the center of controversy prior to the Showdown against Port Adelaide in round 23 when he used a stereotype of Port fans on FIVEaa.[15] Following the Showdown loss, Rachele received public criticism in the media for the comments, including Kane Cornes and teammate Rory Laird.[16][17] In the following week, Rachele was named in the 22 Under 22 team for the second time[18] and was omitted for the final game of the year.[19] Despite the late-season omission, Rachele kicked a career-best 30 goals during the season, which was the third highest of any Crow.[20]
Personal life
editSince October 2022, Rachele has lived with fellow Victorians and current teammates Luke Nankervis and Jake Soligo.[21] He has a close relationship with Greater Western Sydney forward Cooper Hamilton, with whom he attended Caulfield Grammar School.
Rachele's Italian and Greek heritage keep his family close knit. His parents are named Michelle and Jason, and he has two younger twin brothers named Isaac and Lucas. Jason Rachele works on the family-owned orchard in Shepparton.[6]
Statistics
editUpdated to the end of the 2024 season.[22]
G
|
Goals | K
|
Kicks | D
|
Disposals | T
|
Tackles |
B
|
Behinds | H
|
Handballs | M
|
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2022 | Adelaide | 8 | 13 | 17 | 11 | 93 | 53 | 146 | 36 | 24 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 4.1 | 11.2 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1 |
| 2023 | Adelaide | 8 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 204 | 117 | 321 | 81 | 70 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 9.7 | 5.6 | 15.3 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 0 |
| 2023 | Adelaide | 8 | 22 | 30 | 17 | 202 | 109 | 311 | 79 | 51 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 9.2 | 5.0 | 14.1 | 3.6 | 2.3 | TBC |
| Career | 56 | 70 | 53 | 499 | 279 | 778 | 196 | 145 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 8.9 | 5.0 | 13.9 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1 | ||
References
edit- ^ "15 Questions: Josh Rachele". Adelaide Football Club. 30 November 2021.
- ^ "Listen: 🔊 Get to know Josh Rachele and his goals for 2021". Talent League. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2023 – via Facebook.
- ^ Standish, Zac (24 November 2021). "Josh Rachele officially a Crow: Young gun taken at pick six". Shepparton News. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ Leonard, Owen (21 November 2021). "AFL draft prospect Josh Rachele learnt from Australian soccer star Tim Cahill". The Age. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ Twomey, Callum (14 May 2021). "'I always felt I was better at soccer': Why top draft prospect chose footy". afl.com.au. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ a b Harvey, Daniela (25 November 2021). "Sauce days, soccer and family: What led Rachele to call Crows home". afc.com.au. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ Barrett, Steve (20 March 2022). "Fremantle Dockers cling on by a fingernail to beat Adelaide Crows, as Josh Rachele impresses". The Age. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "Adelaide Crow Josh Rachele is the Round Four NAB AFL Rising Star Nominee". AFL.com.au. 11 April 2022.
- ^ Twomey, Callum (30 April 2023). "'I'm waiting until a crazy goal': Rachele on Crows' rise, Rankine and backflip plans". AFL.com.au.
- ^ "Rachele signs long-term extension". Adelaide Football Club. 21 June 2023.
- ^ "Adelaide Crows Football Club Player List". FootyWire. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ Gleeson, Michael; Pierik, Jon (22 April 2024). "'I wasn't brave enough': Crow speaks up on marks missed against Essendon". theage.com.au. The Age.
- ^ Bastiani, Gemma (19 July 2024). "Clutch Rachele's last-gasp goal sees Crows bring down Bombers". afl.com.au. Docklands Stadium: Australian Football League.
- ^ Valencich, Glenn (19 July 2024). "Crows star Josh Rachele channels James Hird after match-winning goal stuns Essendon". 7news.com.au. Seven Network.
- ^ Turner, Matt (15 August 2024). "Rachele 'apology' sets scene for fiery Showdown". www.adelaidenow.com.au. The Advertiser (Adelaide).
- ^ "'Let his footy do the talking': Crows teammate joins critics of livewire's Showdown sledge". foxsports.com.au. Fox Footy. 20 August 2024.
- ^ McMurty, Andrew (19 August 2024). "'Laughing stock': AFL star torn to shreds". tag.news.com.au. Geelong Advertiser.
- ^ "Anchors up! Young Dockers take charge of final 22under22". AFL Players' Association. 22 August 2024.
- ^ Cotton, Josh (23 August 2024). "'I'll always have Josh's back': Nicks opens up on Rachele's surprise axing". foxsports.com.au. Fox Footy.
- ^ "Stats Leaders". afl.com.au. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ Harvey, Daniela (5 January 2023). "The friendship pushing Rachele to new heights". Adelaide Football Club.
- ^ "Josh Rachele". AFL Tables. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
External links
edit- Josh Rachele's profile on the official website of the Adelaide Football Club
- Josh Rachele's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Josh Rachele at AustralianFootball.com
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