Adelaide forward Josh Rachele has heaped praise on new teammate Izak Rankine following the latter’s move from Gold Coast in October.

On Friday, the pair played their first game together in a preseason practice match against Fremantle in Perth.

Rankine booted three including a classy snap surrounded by Fremantle players while both spent time in the midfield.

Rachele told the media in Perth on Sunday that he was relishing playing with Rankine.

“I’m loving playing with him, everyone is,” Rachele said.

“He’s fit into the group quite nicely and we’ve got a great off-field connection going at the moment.

“We get little things out of each other’s games - He’s a bit more evasive and I’m probably a bit more powerful, so I think we work pretty well together.”

After a debut spent up forward, Rachele spent time in Adelaide’s midfield on Friday against the Dockers.

“It’s great to have the confidence from the coaching staff to go in and make an impact (in the middle),” he said.

“Now I’ll just be looking to build on that, week in and week out.

“I’m definitely looking to play some more midfield time throughout the year, but (it’s) whatever Nicksy wants - I’ll just do what he tells me to do.”

Entering his second season at West Lakes, Rachele said he had noticed an increase in his pre-season workload.

“It’s definitely been harder this preseason,” he said.

“First year, you get pulled in and out of drills, then in your second you just go straight in the deep end.

“It’s been a tough preseason, but I feel like it’s set me up for the regular season to hopefully play all 23 games.”

Adelaide will face West Coast in a practice match at Mineral Resources Park on Friday.

First bounce is at 7.10pm ACDT (4.40pm local). The game will be streamed live on Kayo.