Adelaide fear for young gun after win over Melbourne
The Crows recovered from a 28-point deficit midway through the second term to win 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77) at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
But Rachele suffered a potential season-ending injury, with Adelaide fearful the goalsneak damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Rachele will have scans after hyper-extending the knee when landing awkwardly in a marking contest against Jake Bowey late the second quarter.
Josh Rachele has come from the ground following this contest.#AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/K0EAtf3bsc
— AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2025
The blow to the Crow came as his club banked an 11th win of the season and returned to third spot on the ladder.
But Adelaide were forced to dig deep against the plucky 14th-placed Demons (five wins, 11 losses).
The hosts led by three points at quarter-time after Melbourne blew a series of goal chances, kicking 1.6 to the Crows' 2.3 in the term.
But the Demons then produced a sizzling 10-minute burst in the second quarter which was rewarded with five consecutive goals.
The last in the scoring stretch, from Kysiah Pickett after soaring high for a pack mark, gave the visitors a 28-point advantage 12 minutes into the quarter.
Adelaide responded with three successive goals - two more from Rankine and Taylor Walker's second for the game.
The strikes reduced Adelaide's deficit to five points at halftime when the visitors led 6.7 to 5.8.
Melbourne's advantage disappeared just 40 seconds into the third quarter when Ben Keays dribbled a goal to put the Crows in front. They were never headed.
Keays' goal was followed by another pair from the brilliant Rankine as the Crows logged five goals to two for a 15-point lead at the last break.
Melbourne twice sneaked within nine points in the final quarter but couldn't edge closer.
Rankine was superb and key forwards Walker and Darcy Fogarty scored two goals apiece.
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (25 disposals) and workhorse Keays (23 touches, two goals) were standouts, alongside midfielders James Peatling (25 possessions) and Jake Soligo (21).
Melbourne ace Pickett's two goals came from 24 possessions, Jake Melksham was ever-threatening with four majors and Jacob van Rooyen kicked two.
The Demons were also well served by winger Ed Langdon (25 disposals) and Steven May (12 marks), while former skipper Jack Viney gathered a match-high 30 disposals and laid nine tackles.
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