Going into a new season, every AFL club has players that will be under the microscope more than others.
After being tipped for finals in 2024, Adelaide crashed and burned to finish in the bottom four.
There will be pressure on the entire club in 2025 to perform, but a select few players will be focused on.
The Sporting News lists the Adelaide Crows players under pressure in a new series.
AFL DRAFT NEWS:
- AFL Draft 2024: First round picks from every club
- AFL Draft 2024: Club by club player selections
- Who is the no.1 AFL draft pick? Sam Lalor named by Richmond as the prized first selection
Josh Rachele - Can he find consistency?
Adelaide had high hopes for Josh Rachele when they selected him with pick six in the 2021 AFL Draft.
While there have been flashes of his match-winning ability throughout his first three seasons, the Crows will be hoping the mercurial small forward can go up a gear in 2025.
Rachele showed what he was capable of in Round 19, when his quick-snap against Essendon won the match with less than a minute left on the clock.
JOSH RACHELE PUTS THE CROWS BACK IN FRONT WITH UNDER A MINUTE TO GO! 😱
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 19, 2024
📺 Watch #AFLDonsCrows LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/OHm9CRXJTf
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/ycyOyON2kU
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/ysrNXE6LLH pic.twitter.com/mbxvK7mEJs
However, the majority of 2024 saw Rachele fail to have a strong impact on games, emphasized by the fact he only accumulated 100-plus rankings points once in 22 matches.
He had his bravery and contest on the football questioned by media pundits and was dropped for the final home and away game of 2024 for not upholding club 'values and standards'.
This led to rumours that Rachele would seek a move home to a Victorian AFL club, despite his contract at the Crows running until the end of 2029.
But the 21-year-old spoke publicly of his commitment to the Crows and is set to be an important figure for the club next season.
Can Rachele follow the lead of fellow small forward Izak Rankine and begin to have a devastating impact up forward and in midfield?
Or will he remain a player that only tantalises us with glimpses of his unbelievable talent?
Taylor Walker - Father time is coming
No matter how good a player you are, age will finally catch up with you.
Taylor Walker has been a magnificent player and leader for the Crows over his entire career. But 2024 there were plenty of signs that his time in the AFL is nearly over.
After kicking 76 goals in 2023, Walker had a huge drop off to snare only 29 last season. His average possessions per match dropped starkly from 13 to 10.7 also.
It's worth mentioning that Walker has looked finished as an AFL player before - in 2020, he kicked only 15 goals from 14 games.
Following that struggling campaign, Walker kicked 48 goals (2021), 47 (2022) and 76 (2023), before his battles to kick a goal last season returned.
No matter what happens in 2025, Walker will go down as an Adelaide Crows great.
But he faces a battle to remain in the senior team ahead of the likes of Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty.
And there is doubt he won't want to play out his final matches in the SANFL.
