Adelaide Crows forward Josh Rachele has been subbed out of the game against North Melbourne after taking a knee to the ribs in the first quarter.
North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri was the culprit whose knee jammed into Rachele's ribs in a pack mark contest, with a soar from behind colliding into a grounded Rachele.
The 21-year-old was attended to on the field by medical staff and confirmed to be subbed out the game in the second quarter.
Adelaide's highly-touted rookie Sid Draper has been activated as the substitute.
Josh Rachele has been subbed out with a rib injury following this contest in the first quarter.
Sid Draper comes into the game.#AFLCrowsNorth pic.twitter.com/n11Wdbdju2
โ AFL (@AFL) March 30, 2025
Xerri has also been an injury watch throughout the first half of the game after coming off from an incident in a ruck contest.
In a major early blow for the Kangaroos, Xerri was assessed on the sidelines while the Crows piled on three quick goals before returning to the field.
However, Xerri has kept feeling at his hamstring since continuing his ruck duties, suggesting he is still hampered by soreness. Dylan Stephens is the sub for North Melbourne.
More to come...
