The Adelaide Crows find themselves anxiously awaiting scan results for forward Josh Rachele, who sustained a concerning knee injury during a match against the Melbourne Demons. Rachele’s injury occurred as he contested a mark against Demons player Jake Bowey and he landed awkwardly, seemingly hyperextending his left knee just before half-time.
Initial fears suggested the possibility of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, though this has not been confirmed. On a positive note, Rachele was able to jog off the field with support from trainers to receive medical attention. Crows coach Matthew Nicks remarked on the situation, emphasising the need for caution before drawing conclusions, stating, “We won’t know until he has a scan, but it was concerning enough for us to sub him out. Fingers crossed for good news.”
Nicks also acknowledged that he had not yet had the opportunity to discuss the injury with Rachele but anticipated the 22-year-old would be quite upset about the incident. Despite this setback, the Crows celebrated a significant 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (70) victory over the Demons, which was marred only by Rachele’s injury.
The match began with a close contest, as the Crows trailed by just three points at the end of the first quarter. However, a quick surge from the Demons saw the Crows fall behind by 28 points within ten minutes of the second term. Displaying resilience, Adelaide made a strong comeback, powered by outstanding performances from Izak Rankine, who scored five goals, and Taylor Walker. They managed to reduce the deficit to five points at half-time.
As the match progressed, both teams battled intensely, but despite some strong efforts from the Demons to regain control, Adelaide held on to secure their win. The focus now shifts to Rachele and the outcome of his medical scans as the Crows look to maintain their momentum amidst this injury scare.