The magnet move that could anchor Adelaide’s redemption

The Adelaide Crows are chasing redemption, and young star Josh Rachele could be central to the club’s atonement.

Despite finishing top of the table, Rachele could only play a bit-part role in 2025, hampered by injuries that limited him to just 14 games across the season.

However, a clean run over pre-season has left the 22-year-old in excellent shape, and following their September dismantling, the Crows' coaching staff led by Matthew Nicks have shifted the magnets, opting to trial the natural forward on-ball.

And it’s safe to say the move has been vindicated, with all reports suggesting Rachele’s dominance in the midfield has turned heads in West Lakes.

That sentiment was echoed by defender Max Michalanney, expressing his excitement to witness the shift in full flight.

“I’m really excited by it,” Michalanney told SEN’s Captain’s Run.

“Ever since he’s come to the club, he’s had those elite foot skills. The coaches have identified that and got him around the ball a little bit more.

“With him pushing up through the midfield he is naturally getting more of the footy, and he’s setting our team up really well by foot.

“I’m excited by it, we had three quarters last week where he kicked about four goals and had about 20 touches in just the three quarters.

“He was very impressive, and I’m excited to see where he’ll go this year.”

While Rachele’s skillset fits the bill for an AFL midfielder, it’s his strength that has taken the group by surprise, benching an incredible PB over pre-season.

“(He benched) 152.5kg, which is unbelievable,” Michalanney said.

“He’s not alone, there’s a few boys putting gup numbers like that as well – Hugh Bond, who is a similar height and weight, he got up 150 as well. There are a few strong boys down there, that’s for sure.

“Riley (Thilthorpe) is around 150 as well, Nick Murray benched 162 last year when he was coming back from his knee – there’s a few boys pushing some really heavy weight…

“I’m definitely not one of them!”

Adelaide’s straight sets exit has been the fuel behind the club’s intense pre-season, driving the hunger within the group to reach higher heights in 2026.

Taking key learnings from their disastrous September campaign, Michalanney stated that the players’ motivation for success resides within their want for redemption.

“There’s no hiding – it definitely hurt everyone at the footy club,” he said.

“In saying that, it’s made us all very, very hungry. We’ve come back with a real point to prove this year, and we’re excited to see where we can go.

“Losing in straight sets isn’t ideal, but we definitely learnt a lot for it. Those little key learnings that we can take away from last year, hopefully we can implement into this year.

“We’re all really hungry to do one better. Going out like that – all the boys were pretty keen to get stuck into pre-season.

“The training standards lifted; we’ve always been known for having strong training standards but going out in straight sets… it’s a point to prove now.

“We understand that those chances don’t come around very often, so when you do get into the finals, you need to make the most of it. We’re hungry to do that.”

Adelaide’s minor premiership defence commences against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 1; however, the Crows will be without Izak Rankine, who remains under suspension.