Adelaide Assistant Coach Scott Burns has confirmed a rising star will be given a rest this weekend against Geelong.

Burns said the Crows’ first pick at the 2021 AFL National Draft, Josh Rachele, would not play in the Round 11 clash with the Cats on Saturday.

Rachele, who Adelaide selected with Pick No.6, made his AFL debut in Round One against Fremantle.

He has featured in every game since, averaging 12.5 disposals and kicking 15 goals.

But speaking to the media on Wednesday, Burns revealed Rachele, who also suffered a corked thigh in last weekend’s loss to St Kilda, would not play against Geelong.

“We’ll give Josh a breather,” Burns said.

“He’s done terrifically well, Josh, to come in Round One - you can probably see he’s slightly tapering off (after) a few more knocks and a few more hits.

“But it’s in his best interest to (have) a breather, he won’t play this week.”

"It’s in his best interest to have a breather.

Burns conceded Adelaide’s goal kicking against the Saints was not up to scratch but said the forwards were always working on improving accuracy in front of the big sticks.

“It’s interesting because we were good early in the year and we’ve tapered off in that area,” Burns said.

“We’ve been training since late November and that always includes goal kicking training.

“It’s a hard one to understand why sometimes you miss a few goals.

“We’ve come a long way since where we were last year.

“We are having over 50 inside-50s - so we are getting a lot more opportunities and the pleasing thing is we are getting the ball in our hands a lot more than we did last year.”

Burns also said forward Taylor Walker would miss the game against the Cats under the AFL's Health and Safety protocols.

Adelaide takes on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday at 1.15pm (ACST) and Burns said a full team effort would be needed to beat the Cats.

“It’s probably going to be a bit wet and windy, so we need the boys working together as a collective,” Burns said.

“We’ve got to make sure whoever we bring in competes aggressively in front of the ball and making sure we are locking the ball in our front half as much as we can.”