Preview R1: Changes for 2025

[Kane McGoodwin]

How were you going to keep it a secret when you were dropping him?

If you try to sweep that under the carpet it just allows the media to raise a 10x worse clickbait furore.

FFS, the club threw Rachele under a bus unnecessarily.

I can't help that after all this discussion you still don't get it!!!!!!

 

[AFC979810]

Happy to pot nicks but in this case I’m sure that will pay off in his new role

ie teaching him how to play high and work hard forward and defend etc etc will only help him be a more rounded player

Sheeesh some people here don’t see big picture sometimes

Yes -Nicks is a below average coach in comp

No - he doesn’t mess every single thing up

I think its you who is approaching the Rachele situation with a narrow focus.

Sure - teaching a player to play high and work hard forward could help him become a more rounded player, but looking at the big picture - here are the issues:

1. Having the kid train with the midfield group all preseason with the expectation of playing midfield minutes. I mean the kid had more CBA's in the first 5 games of 2023 than he did in the entire 2024 season. The club released puff pieces in the offseason about how they were going to release him into the midfield more in 2024 and then gave him 6 CBA's across the first 6 games. He was obviously pissed off (Freo outburst).

2. In a season where the expectation was finals - why on earth was Nicks running two players in the ANB role? The club has come out and publicly declared that Rachele was in that role - so why the hell were we playing Murphy as well?

3. Nicks completely botched the messaging to both player and everyone else about him. As has been quoted elsewhere he said he was dropped for consistently not being team first. Then 10 weeks later the club publicly discusses how unselfish he was and thats why he finished 7th in the B&F.

And speaking of big picture - I think 2023 was much better for his development than 2024 and he played better in 2023.

He played one less game in 2023 than 2024 (and was sub in one game in 2023) and spent much less time on ground in 23 than he did in 24.

In 2023 he had more disposals, scoring shots, tackles, marks, frees for, less frees against, more marks inside 50's, more tackles inside 50, more intercepts.

In 2024 he had 10 more inside 50's, 4 more Goal Assists and his goal kicking accuracy was much better (30.17 to 23.25).

But the biggest difference was that he went from 140CBA's in 2023 to 45 in 2024.

Someone compared the Rozee midfield exposure to Rachele and I think its pretty spot on:

Yr 1: Rozee 54, Rachele 21
Yr 2: Rozee 62, Rachele 140
Yr 3: Rozee 281, Rachele 45
Yr 4: Rozee 498, Rachele ???

Now I agree Nicks doesn't mess everything up. I have spoken at length about what I see as his positives in previous posts. However his and the clubs handling of Rachele over the past 12 months has been absolutely farcical.

 

[AFC979810]

How were you going to keep it a secret when you were dropping him?

If you try to sweep that under the carpet it just allows the media to raise a 10x worse clickbait furore.

Maybe just be honest about why you were dropping him.

If you dont want to do that - then just bloody be consistent with your lie.

You can't have the club saying he was dropped for constantly not being team first and then 10 weeks later come out as a club saying he finished so high in our B&F because he was such a selfless club man playing the ANB role all year.

 

[AFC979810]

I just ask that a coach gets the best out of his players.

Rachele actually had a decent year.

Thought he had a better year last year. Plus he wasn't disgruntled like he was all year.

#freerachele

 

[AFC979810]

You have thye play the long game. Most young players join the AFL with massive gaps in their game. They absolutely need to give them roles to improve that.

Rachele hasn't lost anything from his game. And he's maybe improved some areas that needed attention.

He lost valuable midfield development time in a season we didn't make the finals while we gave 312 CBA's to 30 year old Rory Laird. Then we acknowledge that Laird was very ineffective in the midfield and dropped from the middle for the last 4 games of 2024.

And all these people saying he improved in some areas - what areas specifically did you see Rachele improve in?

 

[adelaidecrows]

He lost valuable midfield development time in a season we didn't make the finals while we gave 312 CBA's to 30 year old Rory Laird. Then we acknowledge that Laird was very ineffective in the midfield and dropped from the middle for the last 4 games of 2024.

And all these people saying he improved in some areas - what areas specifically did you see Rachele improve in?

The likely reason Rachele hasnt found his way into the midfield is probably because he is more dynamic as a forward and the coaching group feels we lose too much from our forward set up, especially now they appear to favour Rankine as a free two way running midfielder. Do we really want to see both Rachele and Rankine in our backline and then on a fast counter attack we lack our dynamic small forwards?

 

[AFC979810]

The likely reason Rachele hasnt found his way into the midfield is probably because he is more dynamic as a forward and the coaching group feels we lose too much from our forward set up, especially now they appear to favour Rankine as a free two way running midfielder. Do we really want to see both Rachele and Rankine in our backline and then on a fast counter attack we lack our dynamic small forwards?

This is where coaching comes in. There are plenty of midfield minutes for Rankine and Rachele. If Rachele is in the middle - Rankine is resting forward and vice versa.

Laird, Berry, Taylor combined for 620 CBA's last year.

Health permitting - these are the only players who should have CBA's in 2025 - Dawson, Crouch, Soligo, Peatling, Rankine, Rachele with some cameo's from Curtin, Draper.

I wouldn't mind Keays / Laird getting a few CBA's in the 4th quarter if we need to get our hands on the pill.

 

[adelaidecrows]

This is where coaching comes in. There are plenty of midfield minutes for Rankine and Rachele. If Rachele is in the middle - Rankine is resting forward and vice versa.

Laird, Berry, Taylor combined for 620 CBA's last year.

Health permitting - these are the only players who should have CBA's in 2025 - Dawson, Crouch, Soligo, Peatling, Rankine, Rachele with some cameo's from Curtin, Draper.

I wouldn't mind Keays / Laird getting a few CBA's in the 4th quarter if we need to get our hands on the pill.

The problem I think we have with a Rachele, Rankine style rotation is sports science bench rotations. These days midfielders rotate off the bench not through other positions. I dont see them being able to do this under this style of rotations.

 

[Cromulant]

I am sure Adam Kingsley could have used Toby Greene in the ANB position in 2023 and he would have had a pretty good year. That doesn't mean it works.

Difference being Josh is in the infancy of his career and still has much to learn.

 

[AFC979810]

The problem I think we have with a Rachele, Rankine style rotation is sports science bench rotations. These days midfielders rotate off the bench not through other positions. I dont see them being able to do this under this style of rotations.

Not really true at all.

Now its true for players like Matt Crouch who can't really play any other positions, but players like Dawson rest elsewhere and are on the ground about 85% of the game.

Difference being Josh is in the infancy of his career and still has much to learn.

I am still struggling with what he was learning. It sounds good in theory, but feel like its a bunch of bullshit from Nicks and Co.

 

[adelaidecrows]

Not really true at all.

Now its true for players like Matt Crouch who can't really play any other positions, but players like Dawson rest elsewhere and are on the ground about 85% of the game.

85% of the game is still 5 minutes on the bench each quarter. Its a huge headache to rotate 2 players directly swapping position to position and the bench for a rest. Yes Dawson does it but he wouldnt be directly swapping with one single player at all times. Rankine rotates between all 3 as well and it would be random.

Hey if we can pull it off im all for it, i just think this is one reason why Rachele hasnt been put into the full time midfield rotations. With Draper, im not sure we need to focus on this anyway.

 

[AFC979810]

85% of the game is still 5 minutes on the bench each quarter. Its a huge headache to rotate 2 players directly swapping position to position and the bench for a rest. Yes Dawson does it but he wouldnt be directly swapping with one single player at all times. Rankine rotates between all 3 as well and it would be random.

These are professionals. They should be able to figure out rotations.

Hey if we can pull it off im all for it, i just think this is one reason why Rachele hasnt been put into the full time midfield rotations. With Draper, im not sure we need to focus on this anyway.

I guess the question is why his midfield minutes were cut so drastically in 2024.

Spent all preseason training with the midfielders. Then bang no midfield time.

 

[Cromulant]

I am still struggling with what he was learning. It sounds good in theory, but feel like its a bunch of bullshit from Nicks and Co.

i get that, im no fan of Nicks and Burns in particular.

We know what he's like with ball in hand, he's very dangerous. What i believe the coaches wanted him improve on was what he does without the ball To my eye he does still need improvement in this area, it's crucial as a small half forward and even to play midfield. Even a small improvement lands him up the pointy end of small forwards league wide given the other weapons he has.

Just my opinion though, based on what JR said.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

I think its you who is approaching the Rachele situation with a narrow focus.

Sure - teaching a player to play high and work hard forward could help him become a more rounded player, but looking at the big picture - here are the issues:

1. Having the kid train with the midfield group all preseason with the expectation of playing midfield minutes. I mean the kid had more CBA's in the first 5 games of 2023 than he did in the entire 2024 season. The club released puff pieces in the offseason about how they were going to release him into the midfield more in 2024 and then gave him 6 CBA's across the first 6 games. He was obviously pissed off (Freo outburst).

2. In a season where the expectation was finals - why on earth was Nicks running two players in the ANB role? The club has come out and publicly declared that Rachele was in that role - so why the hell were we playing Murphy as well?

3. Nicks completely botched the messaging to both player and everyone else about him. As has been quoted elsewhere he said he was dropped for consistently not being team first. Then 10 weeks later the club publicly discusses how unselfish he was and thats why he finished 7th in the B&F.

And speaking of big picture - I think 2023 was much better for his development than 2024 and he played better in 2023.

He played one less game in 2023 than 2024 (and was sub in one game in 2023) and spent much less time on ground in 23 than he did in 24.

In 2023 he had more disposals, scoring shots, tackles, marks, frees for, less frees against, more marks inside 50's, more tackles inside 50, more intercepts.

In 2024 he had 10 more inside 50's, 4 more Goal Assists and his goal kicking accuracy was much better (30.17 to 23.25).

But the biggest difference was that he went from 140CBA's in 2023 to 45 in 2024.

Someone compared the Rozee midfield exposure to Rachele and I think its pretty spot on:

Yr 1: Rozee 54, Rachele 21
Yr 2: Rozee 62, Rachele 140
Yr 3: Rozee 281, Rachele 45
Yr 4: Rozee 498, Rachele ???

Now I agree Nicks doesn't mess everything up. I have spoken at length about what I see as his positives in previous posts. However his and the clubs handling of Rachele over the past 12 months has been absolutely farcical.

Ever watched the giants play ? They have about 5 players in the ANB role every week

Thought Rachele actually had a great stepping stone year in 2024 , the disappointment was him going off script to bait Port pre showdown but then the clubs including Nicks piss poor public handling of it after

2024 was first time Rachele didn’t fall off a Cliff after first 2 months of season too , noticeably playing some strong football in second half of season for first time in his career

Sets up well for 2025 especially with the way he’s come back

I’m sure he didn’t play much midfield for 2 reasons , one is they think he’s a forward and the other is burn out as he hasn’t been sustainable past about round 9 in his first 2 seasons

 

[Jeffcrowe]

i get that, im no fan of Nicks and Burns in particular.

We know what he's like with ball in hand, he's very dangerous. What i believe the coaches wanted him improve on was what he does without the ball To my eye he does still need improvement in this area, it's crucial as a small half forward and even to play midfield. Even a small improvement lands him up the pointy end of small forwards league wide given the other weapons he has.

Just my opinion though, based on what JR said.

Spot on

I reckon that year gives him more chance to make it in midfield if they decide to give him time in there and to that way

They might see him more as a forward though , which I do as well

midfield looks unironically stacked too suddenly with Peatling Draper and maybe Curtin looking to grab big minutes

 

[AFC979810]

Ever watched the giants play ? They have about 5 players in the ANB role every week

They do? Their forward line structure is Hogan, Cadman as the two KPF's with Riccardi as the 3rd tall. Toby is the classic small forward and Daniels is their defensive small forward (3rd in the AFL for tackles inside 50).

They then rotate midfielders through there (Ward & Kelly predominantly).

Thought Rachele actually had a great stepping stone year in 2024 , the disappointment was him going off script to bait Port pre showdown but then the clubs including Nicks piss poor public handling of it after

2024 was first time Rachele didn’t fall off a Cliff after first 2 months of season too , noticeably playing some strong football in second half of season for first time in his career

Agree he looked fitter. Which should be expected for a 3rd year player who has played 50+ games.

Sets up well for 2025 especially with the way he’s come back

Don't disagree that he is set up for a good 2025. IMO he would have been much better set up if he was exposed more to the midfield in 2024.

I’m sure he didn’t play much midfield for 2 reasons , one is they think he’s a forward and the other is burn out as he hasn’t been sustainable past about round 9 in his first 2 seasons

Then why play him so much in 2023 through the midfield? It doesn't make sense to give him a lot more midfield time in yr 2 and then reduce in year 3 - especially after spending the whole preseason with him in the midfield.

 

[Floating Doughnut]

Spot on

I reckon that year gives him more chance to make it in midfield if they decide to give him time in there and to that way

They might see him more as a forward though , which I do as well

midfield looks unironically stacked too suddenly with Peatling Draper and maybe Curtin looking to grab big minutes

This also imo.
Match winning small forwards seem to be in a lot of discussion where the game is headed and think
we have drafted accordingly to have Rach up there.

 

[Crowtel]

How were you going to keep it a secret when you were dropping him?

If you try to sweep that under the carpet it just allows the media to raise a 10x worse clickbait furore.

It's almost as if every other club in the league uses the phrase "Managed"

 

[Jeffcrowe]

They do? Their forward line structure is Hogan, Cadman as the two KPF's with Riccardi as the 3rd tall. Toby is the classic small forward and Daniels is their defensive small forward (3rd in the AFL for tackles inside 50).

They then rotate midfielders through there (Ward & Kelly predominantly).



Agree he looked fitter. Which should be expected for a 3rd year player who has played 50+ games.




Don't disagree that he is set up for a good 2025. IMO he would have been much better set up if he was exposed more to the midfield in 2024.



Then why play him so much in 2023 through the midfield? It doesn't make sense to give him a lot more midfield time in yr 2 and then reduce in year 3 - especially after spending the whole preseason with him in the midfield.

Giants 2024 - Daniels , Darcy Jones , Bedford , Peatling , Harvey Thomas

All the above played in the forward line at times and quite often alot at once

That’s not even counting Toby as a small forward

They played Rachele mid in 2023 because they needed a next gen mid to come thru clearly , they also played Soligo there and Soligo showed he could sustain it a bit better due to better conditioning and likely because he’s a more natural mid

I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Rachele play there a little again if he’s as running fit as people are saying this pre season , but it won’t be as easy to get in there with Peatling and Draper on the list

 

[Mutineer]

They do? Their forward line structure is Hogan, Cadman as the two KPF's with Riccardi as the 3rd tall. Toby is the classic small forward and Daniels is their defensive small forward (3rd in the AFL for tackles inside 50).

They then rotate midfielders through there (Ward & Kelly predominantly).



Agree he looked fitter. Which should be expected for a 3rd year player who has played 50+ games.




Don't disagree that he is set up for a good 2025. IMO he would have been much better set up if he was exposed more to the midfield in 2024.



Then why play him so much in 2023 through the midfield? It doesn't make sense to give him a lot more midfield time in yr 2 and then reduce in year 3 - especially after spending the whole preseason with him in the midfield.

What was Toby Bedford's role for the Giants and Harvey Thomas as well? Both seemed to play a lot forward of centre?

 

[Mutineer]

Giants 2024 - Daniels , Darcy Jones , Bedford , Peatling , Harvey Thomas

All the above played in the forward line at times and quite often alot at once

That’s not even counting Toby as a small forward

They played Rachele mid in 2023 because they needed a next gen mid to come thru clearly , they also played Soligo there and Soligo showed he could sustain it a bit better due to better conditioning and likely because he’s a more natural mid

I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Rachele play there a little again if he’s as running fit as people are saying this pre season , but it won’t be as easy to get in there with Peatling and Draper on the list

Beat me to it.

 

[AFC979810]

Giants 2024 - Daniels , Darcy Jones , Bedford , Peatling , Harvey Thomas

All the above played in the forward line at times and quite often alot at once

That’s not even counting Toby as a small forward

They played Rachele mid in 2023 because they needed a next gen mid to come thru clearly , they also played Soligo there and Soligo showed he could sustain it a bit better due to better conditioning and likely because he’s a more natural mid

I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Rachele play there a little again if he’s as running fit as people are saying this pre season , but it won’t be as easy to get in there with Peatling and Draper on the list

So they had 5 prominent forwards:

Hogan, Cadman, Riccardi, Greene, Daniels.

Bedford & Peatling are midfielders. They were 3rd and 5th for CBA's at GWS this year.

So really that would play the Murphy/ANB role would be Thomas/Jones.

 

[AFC979810]

What was Toby Bedford's role for the Giants and Harvey Thomas as well? Both seemed to play a lot forward of centre?

Toby Bedford had more CBA's in 2024 than Matt Crouch.

Harvey Thomas would be the Murphy/ANB role. Certainly not 5 of em.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

So they had 5 prominent forwards:

Hogan, Cadman, Riccardi, Greene, Daniels.

Bedford & Peatling are midfielders. They were 3rd and 5th for CBA's at GWS this year.

So really that would play the Murphy/ANB role would be Thomas/Jones.

Wouldn’t have been a heap of centre bounces with both Peatling and Bedford in them

They’re a very nimble small forward front half smalls team

And have just drafted Angove and Hannaford in the top 30 - another 2

Maybe it’s just the way the game is going , there might be a tipping point though

 

[Mutineer]

Toby Bedford had more CBA's in 2024 than Matt Crouch.

Could be a bit to do with games played perhaps?