Adelaide’s Josh Rachele is using some psychology tricks in a bid to harness his fiery nature and become a more consistent footballer.
The Crows youngster at times found himself frustrated during his sophomore season following an electric debut campaign.
While Rachele played more games in 2023 than he did in 2022 (21 v 13), averaged more disposals and made the 22Under22 team, he wasn’t quite as effective in the second half of the season.
He experienced a lean patch late in 2023 with his frustrations bubbling over when he lashed out at GWS defender Jack Buckley in Round 18, resulting in a two-game suspension.
Following the arrival of high performance psychologist Rosanna Stanimirovic, who has previously worked at the AIS and with the GWS Giants, Rachele says he plans to find ways to work through those challenges in 2024.
“We’ve had a new psych come in, her name is Rosie,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“She’s been working with previous Olympic athletes, and I think she spent some time at GWS.
“That was a big thing for me to go in and see her straight away. She obviously knew my past and how I can get a bit fiery at times.
“A big thing for me going into this year was just that consistency factor. As a small forward there’s going to be games where guys will get under your skin, so just being able to control that and focus on the game and being able to play your role.”
The highly-rated 20-year-old, who was selected with Pick 6 in the 2021 draft, is also known for his love of a goal celebration.
He’s often seen getting amongst it with the Crows faithful after snapping a major, and although it is something he plans to balance out, he insists he won’t be fully shelving the on-field festivities.
“Early on (in your career) you just get really excited,” Rachele said.
“I loved celebrating with the fans and trying to have some fun when I’m on the ground, but I think you balance the more you mature.
“There’s times where it is really good to do a big celebration and get the team up and about if we’re a little bit behind or we’ve just hit the lead. There’s times where you’ve just got to reset and get around the player who has given you the ball.
“I’ve had some good chats with ‘Tex’ (Taylor Walker) and some of the other players. We’re promoted in our team to do what gets you up and about. For me when I was celebrating I think that helps the team also get up and about to go back to the centre bounce and kick another goal.
“I do love doing that but there’s times when there’s a balance as well.”
Rachele has also been training with the idea of building a bigger fitness base so he can mix it in the middle where he would rotate with fellow forwards Izak Rankine, Luke Pedlar and the like.
“My main thing was getting a bigger tank and hopefully pushing for some midfield minutes and having more of a 50-50 split with the likes of Rankine, Pedlar and these guys who can go through the midfield,” he said further.
He also offered some excitement for Crows fans, identifying fellow top draftee Riley Thilthorpe as the player who has been training the house down at West Lakes this pre-season.
“I would definitely say Riley Thilthorpe at the moment,” he said when asked who is flying.
“He’s looking like a man-mountain. He’s clunking everything, looking fitter and stronger than ever.
“He’s one to watch in our team going into next season.”
Rachele, Thilthorpe and the Crows are preparing for their first competitive match simulation against Port Adelaide at Alberton on February 23, before they meet West Coast in the AFL Community Series on March 2.
Their first game of the 2024 season comes against the Suns on the Gold Coast on March 16.