Adelaide young gun Josh Rachele is staring at a suspension after being reported for striking during Saturday night’s loss to GWS.
Rachele was involved in a scuffle with Giants star Harry Perryman before lashing out at Jack Buckley in the second quarter.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Josh Rachele’s off-the-ball strike.
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The rising star appeared to catch Buckley on the face and was placed on report for the incident.
Given it came off the ball, 7NEWS reporter Mitch Cleary is tipping at least a one-match suspension.
“I think up until the jumper punch, everything will be OK. That last one, given he has made contact with the head, if it is graded intentional, given it’s off the ball and low impact, it is a week,” Cleary said.
“Given it is intentional, medium impact would be two weeks. I think Josh Rachele is missing some footy, now a matter of one or two matches.”
It compounded a nightmare night for the Crows, who were overrun by the Giants to lose by 14 points at Adelaide Oval.
The Giants booted all five goals of a gripping final term to snatch a 10.11 (71) to 8.9 (57) stirring win on the road and climb over the Crows to the brink of the top eight.
Skipper Toby Greene sparked the Giants’ comeback with the first major or the final term but it was veteran Daniel Lloyd that booted the sealer in a fiery clash.
The Crows led by 17 points at the last change but were then held goalless as the Giants again surged past them after overcoming an early 31-point deficit against the same team in round one.
Lachie Whitfield was sublime in his 200th AFL match for the Giants, collecting 28 disposals and 425 metres gained, while Josh Kelly bounced back from a rare quiet game with 28 touches and nine clearances.
Kelly added the second goal of the final term and Greene finished with three majors as the Giants (9-8) confirmed their finals credentials and moved up to ninth place.
The Crows (8-9) missed an opportunity to reclaim a spot in the top eight with just their third loss from 10 matches on home turf this season to spoil former captain Rory Sloane’s 250th match.
Skipper Jordan Dawson (27 disposals) battled hard for the Crows along with Rory Laird (33, one goal) and Brodie Smith (27) but they ultimately paid the price for failing to take their chances in a heated contest.
The two finals contenders went goal-for-goal early with the Crows’ key forward