The Adelaide Crows have been widely torched by their own fans and the broader AFL community for the shabby treatment of young gun Josh Rachele.
The Crows have dumped the exciting forward for their last game of the year in the aftermath of his antics against Port Adelaide last week.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jordan Dawson says Josh Rachele unnecessarily riled up Port.
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The 21-year-old stoked the fires in the lead-up to the Showdown, playing the pantomime villain when he jokingly claimed Port Adelaide supporters “don’t have many teeth”.
And during the match, he goaded fans, pointing to his teeth while celebrating a goal in the second quarter.
Speaking exclusively to Channel 7 on Friday, Crows captain Jordan Dawson opened up on the behind-the-scenes meeting the club’s leadership group had with Rachele.
“Riling up the opposition crown and players unnecessarily is probably not going to benefit us to win the game,” Dawson said.
“So that’s what we’re ultimately there to do, and play our roles and perform to the best of our ability.
“To get the opposition up and about before the game, doesn’t help us win, so that’s where we were coming from.”
But the club is now being torched with fans thinking Rachele — a former No.6 draft pick from Victoria — will pack his bags and head home.
“Talk about throwing your teammate under the bus!,” one fan wrote on social media (under the video of Dawson’s exclusive chat with Seven).
And another: “What a joke you are Adelaide. I hope Rachele comes back home to Vic, at least he won’t be treated like a criminal.”
“Alright, time to blow the club up and start again. We’re too far gone now,” a Crows fan said.
While another was certain the decision to play him in the SANFL — instead of taking him to Sydney — would see him seek a trade.
“Yeah Rachele is gone. No wonder why the club is where they are. Shambles,” they said..
“Jesus. Crows are absolutely butchering this. Back your player. Wouldn’t blame him if he left,” another wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
While another prolific social media user said: “Every club could use a player and character like Rachele. Poor decision-making by Adelaide.“
Some fans also had a crack at Dawson after the comments, saying “I wouldn’t want to play for (him).”
Rachele has dismissed any notion the furore would impact his future at the Crows, where he’s contracted until the end of 2029.
“No, not at all. I absolutely love the club, I love my teammates and my future is here.” he said.
But a News Corp journalist has compared the Rachele situation to Jack Ginnivan, who left Collingwood at the end of last year and is now starring for Hawthorn.
At the Hawks, Ginnivan has also been allowed to express himself on the field.
“Both knockabout larrikins from country Victoria, Rachele and Ginnivan possess many of the same traits,” Carl Pfeiffer wrote.
“It’s now up to the Crows to create an environment where Rachele, like Ginnivan, can thrive or risk losing him to a team that does.”