Adelaide has adopted a new approach to its mindset both on and off the field, in what young forward Josh Rachele has revealed as “The Crows Way.”
Speaking on this week’s episode of The Crows Show, Rachele explained what the philosophy was and how the squad had put it into practice in the early stages of the season.
“We’ve got a bit of a philosophy going at the moment called The Crows Way, and it’s something we try to use to help us get on a roll a little bit,” Rachele said.
“We don’t necessarily think that kicking the goals and taking the big marks are the only things that should be celebrated.
“The things that should be celebrated the most are the little things, like a smother or a big tackle, there are a heap of things we prioritise internally.
“I think that’s just such a great way to gain some motivation out on the ground when things might not be going our way or we are playing an away game and we don’t have the crowd around us.”
The 21-year-old enjoyed a strong start to his fourth AFL campaign, booting seven goals and averaging 18.5 disposals from his first two matches, before being sidelined with a rib injury in Round Three.
Rachele explained how the influence of two senior teammates had helped him get the best out of his game.
“The inclusion of (Alex) Neal-Bullen has really helped my development, he’s been incredible in helping me understand my role and what I need to do to get better,” Rachele said.
“Ben Keays as well has been another big one that’s really helped me over the last couple of years, the way he attacks his role every single week and the way he performs, it’s given me a great insight to how to get your game to a high level.
“Going into my fourth year now as well, I’m a lot more experienced, I understand what my body needs and how to play at AFL level.”
Rachele has had to shift focus from on-field performance to off-field recovery, and is on-track to return ahead of schedule from his rib injury.
“I’m feeling a lot better now, the first week I didn't do too much as I was feeling very sore and sorry,” Rachele said.
“Pretty much I was just laying low, resting on the couch, and then after a week or two I got a bit more movement in and now almost three weeks post injury I have been able to get a lot more running in.
“Hopefully next week I’ll be able to get some contest and bag work in to really test out the ribs and then in the week or two hopefully I’ll be back playing with the boys.”
Catch the full chat with Rachele on this week’s episode of The Crows Show, airing at 11am this Sunday on Channel 7 Adelaide.
