Taylor Walker in 'heated' training incident amid Adelaide Crows woes
The Adelaide Crows' former skipper had a tense moment wth second-year forward Josh Rachele at training.
Taylor Walker and Adelaide Crows coaches have reportedly read the riot act to second-year forward Josh Rachele after a heated incident with the former skipper at training. Footage aired on Channel 9's Footy Classified showed Rachele blowing up at Walker after his lead was ignored by the Crows veteran.
After an uninspiring 2022 AFL season, the pressure is mounting on the Crows after two losses to start the season this year. Things aren't getting any easier in round three, with the Showdown against cross-town rivals Port Adelaide, who a fresh from a thumping at the hands of Collingwood in round two.
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Walker had been lining up for a shot on goal when Rachele offered a lead. After it went ignored, Rachele was seen exchanging words with Walker in an exchange which was clearly not on the best of terms.
Channel 9 reporter Braden Ingram said the incident had resulted in the 19-year-old copping a reality check from the Crows' coaching staff. It comes just days after Crows captain Jordan Dawson called on his teammates to show more leadership on field after their two defeats.
“Things got a little heated at Crows training. This missed pass prompted a feisty exchange between Josh Rachele and Tex Walker,” Ingram said on Footy Classified. “It’s believed coaches and Tex delivered some home truths to Rachele.”
Adelaide finished 14th on the ladder last season, all but tied with 13th placed Hawthorn with eight wins. The Crows have already been left frustrated to begin their season after unsuccessfully challenging the three-game suspension handed to Shane McAdam by the tribunal.
In round one, GWS kicked 11 goals to four after halftime in a 16-point win, before Richmond booted nine consecutive majors in the first half and another five unanswered goals in the last term to finish with a 32-point victory. Dawson has implored his side to show leadership in those moments where the opposition has seized momentum.
"Between our best footy and our worst footy, the gap was too big - and round one was the same," Dawson said on Monday. "It has probably got something to do with some of our personnel being a bit younger and understanding what is happening in the game and thinking about what we need to do.
"And then as leaders, I think we need to be better as well at stepping up in those moments and sort of taking charge of the group."
Adelaide Crows desperate for showdown win against AFL arch-rivals
The Crows meet arch foe Port Adelaide on Saturday night in the latest grudge match between the South Australian rivals. Dawson, in his first year as captain and second season with the Crows after transferring from Sydney, expected the rivalry with Port to again be heated.
"The build up and the rivalry and the fan base, it does split families in half and it's an exciting week for the town," he said. "Growing up watching Showdowns, it didn't matter where the teams were on the ladder, it was always a tight game.
"As a Crows fan I obviously disliked Port ... but I have always had a lot of respect for them as well. The way they go about it as a club and their team every week, especially playing against the Crows ... they're a passionate bunch of players and fans so especially being a Port home game it will be a big one."
Young defender Patrick Parnell will miss the match after being concussed in a Nathan Broad sling tackle which has the Tiger defender facing at least a three-game ban when he fronts the AFL tribunal.
With AAP
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