Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has named former Murray Bushranger Josh Rachele as the player he’s most excited about from the 2021 AFL National Draft.
Adelaide used pick six to snare the small forward on Wednesday night after Rachele proved his worth by kicking eleven goals in four games for the Bushrangers this year, having also averaged 19 disposals and six marks.
He’s been earmarked as a ‘game changer’ by draft experts, and Lloyd’s praise will put big raps on the 18-year-old.
“I’m fortunate enough through my role at Haileybury to see kids in action, and the one that hurt us the most this year was Adelaide Crows’ pick six, and that’s Josh Rachele,” he told Sportsday.
“He’s one that I can’t wait to watch play for Adelaide because he’s got absolute class, he’s a great goal kicker, (he) knows he's good.
“He’s inside forward fifty, he hasn’t really got a huge engine so he’s more a forward fifty type player.”
The three-time Coleman Medallist also sees potential in a number of other draftees through his involvement with Haileybury, telling Sportsday co-host Gerard Healy which players to keep an eye on.
“I’ve watched Josh Daicos for years, we all know how good he is,” Lloyd continued.
“But Josh Ward from Melbourne Grammar, he went pick seven to Hawthorn, he’s the ultimate professional, and that’s interesting that Connor MacDonald, the Haileybury captain, he went to Hawthorn too.
“They’re high-quality players who work extremely hard.
“Tom Brown from Geelong… he went at pick 17 to Richmond, and he’s a player I also like, he’s an intercepting player.
“And Serong, the brother of (Caleb), his name’s Jai Serong and he went to Hawthorn at pick 53, he’s a hard-working key forward.
“I know you (Gerard Healy) have had some words to say about Josh Sinn, I hope he can get some luck with his body because he covers the ground and is a beautiful left foot kick as well.”
Rachele is preparing to fly to Adelaide on Sunday, with pre-season beginning the next day for the youngster.