Matthew Nicks has eased some tension surrounding high profile youngster Josh Rachele with his latest comments on the 21-year-old.
The midfielder featured in Adelaide's 14-point loss to Sturt on Saturday, collecting a meagre 17 disposals, three marks and three tackles. But the coach's praise suggest some positive steps being taken by the young Crow.
"I was really proud of the way Josh went about it," Matthew Nicks said.
"He played a strong game... against one of the top teams.
"Really proud of the way he knuckled down and got to work. He had complete clarity, and he and I are very much on the same page about what we expect as a footy club. He's going to be a really important leader for us going forward."
The call to omit Rachele from the senior side regrettably caught some external flack, media outlets spinning over his online and on-field antics following Adelaide's Showdown loss.
The coach however, sees leadership material in the top 10 pick, and has set the challenge for Rachele in the coming off-season, to help steer the ship for the young mob on the rise.
"If he's going to be a leader for us going forward, then we want him leading in the right direction," Nicks added.
The situation did not affect the teams unconvincing display at the SCG, according to the Adelaide coach.
"Tonight's performance... I'm not sure that had anything to do with Josh's omission.
Unfortunately Rachele, Nicks and the Adelaide football club will be under pressure for a 2025 response throughout the summer, the team ending their '24 campaign at a disappointing 15th on the AFL ladder with a tough loss to the ladder leaders.
A strong preseason with some developing young stars will be crucial for their future prospects come next season, though with a contract until 2026, there may be some leeway afforded to Matthew Nicks in the Crows' rise to September action.
