Adelaide star Josh Rachele has hinted at pulling back his celebrations as the fallout from last week’s loss to Essendon continues.
Rachele copped plenty of criticism over the weekend for two failed marks in the dying stages of the Crows’ narrow loss.
The 21-year-old admitted he “wasn’t brave enough” in the first attempt, where he expected contact from behind and only put one arm up when he could have easily marked it.
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The second one, which would have resulted in a shot at goal to put the Crows in front, he completely misjudged as the ball went through his outstretched hands.
Rachele finished the game with one goal and 20 possessions as the Crows fell to a three-point defeat.
Rachele burst onto the scene with five goals in a stunning debut in 2022 and has since become one of the most exciting players in the competition.
Known for his passion, he often celebrates goals with full vigor.
But after last Friday’s events, the young gun has conceded he may have to tone it down.
“It’s a hard one. I had a lot of discussions with people over the weekend because when you are going to celebrate like I do and show that passion, as you said, you can be put on a pedestal quite quickly when you’re doing well but when things aren’t going well it goes down quite quickly,” he told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
“Jack Ginnivan’s a prime example of it. And everyone loves watching him play. I love watching him play, but to see when he’s not going well, he gets put down as quick as anyone.
“And I’ve had conversations about … yeah do I just chill out on the celebrations a little bit and things like that, which I’m thinking about at the moment, just taking a little step back and just let my footy do the talking a bit. Just for a little bit.
“It is hard because that’s how I’ve always played.”
Rachele also said dealing with the fallout has been “hard”.
“At the end of the day when something goes wrong, this stuff hits you quite hard too,” he added.
Adelaide were expected to be among the finals contenders this year, but have just one win from their opening six matches to be languishing in 15th place.
They face winless North Melbourne on Saturday in what looms as the perfect chance to get back on the winner’s list.