Bombers legend Matthew Lloyd says Crows youngster Josh Rachele needs to put a stop to his rash on-field behaviour after he was offered a two-match ban for striking during Adelaide’s 14-point loss to GWS on Saturday.
Rachele has faced mounting pressure in recent weeks following several quiet performances.
Now, the 20-year-old has found himself in trouble with the match review committee after engaging in foul play throughout his side’s 8.9 (57) to 10.11 (71) defeat.
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On Sunday, Rachele was fined $1500 for engaging in a melee during the game’s second quarter and a further $1500 for misconduct against GWS midfielder Connor Idun in the final term.
Rachele was also offered a two-match ban for striking opposing defender Jack Buckley.
The offence was deemed intentional conduct of medium impact and high contact after Rachele hit Buckley with a closed fist.
“He’s one for me that needs to pull his head in as a person and as a footballer,” Lloyd told Nine’s AFL Sunday Footy Show.
”There’s all the carry-on that he’s got when going well but gee he was undisciplined on Saturday.”
In the lead-up to the first incident, Rachele was clipped around the mouth by Harry Perryman but was not awarded a free kick as compensation. In response, he chased after Perryman before throwing him to the ground. This resulted in a free kick against the midfielder forward.
“It was a real momentum changer and he got taken off the ground for it,” Lloyd said.
“He didn’t get put on the phone for it but at times, I think he thinks he is going better than what he is, and I think that is something that [Crows coach Matthew] Nicks should get on top of.
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“You’re not Toby Greene, you’re not Charlie Cameron – start doing the little things that got you drafted because I reckon he’s got ahead of himself.”
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes said the AFL clubs were partly responsible for the showboat behaviour by some of their green players through rewards of long-term contracts.
“Rachele’s a player that has so much talent but you’ve got to keep [your younger players] hungry and on edge. [The Crows] have signed him until 2029. He was already there until 2025 and they extended it.
Rachele has averaged 16 disposals, four marks and three tackles so far this season.
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