Quick hands: Swans' Nathan Rachele.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
After four rounds into Goulburn Valley League, Shepparton Swans young gun Nathan Rachele has been relishing life in two new roles.
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The 23-year-old has taken up the captaincy this season, while he has been shifted into a new position under first-year mentor Jedd Wright.
Rachele is spending more time forward in the Swans’ line-up and he’s been deployed as a pressure forward to try and cause havoc on opposition defenders.
The emerging leader featured heavily through the on-ball brigade under former coach Paul Hawke, but with the Swans able to beef up the midfield the captain has taken up a forward role.
Four games into his new position and Rachele is already seeing the gains from his hard work.
Rachele is ranked fourth in the competition for pressure acts with 19, averaging 4.75 a game, he leads the club for goals kicked (eight), goals assists (five) and averages four tackles a game.
Rachele, speaking last month ahead of the round three clash to Mansfield, said he was enjoying trying to terrorise defenders and boot goals for his Swans.
“I’m a bit of a pest at times,” he said with a laugh.
“I’ve been playing more of a small forward and then rotate on the ball to chop out Banchy (Zac Banch) or Nath (Hrovat),” he said.
“I don’t mind it; I’ve always liked going up forward and it’s nice trying to kick a couple.”
Key stats
Nathan Rachele (average a game)
Disposals: 13
Pressure acts: 4.75
Score involvements: 4.25
Tackles: 4
Goals: 2
Rachele said the breath of fresh air brought by Wright had done wonders for the young playing group.
He also highlighted how much his teammates had taken to the additions of ex-AFL talents Hrovat, Jamie Macmillan and Wright’s brother Sam into group.
“Yeah, Jedd’s been real good for us. I think it’s good that he’s younger because there are a fair few of us who are in that younger bracket,” Rachele said.
“It’s great having those boys around. They’ve got so much knowledge, they speak well and everyone just soaks it up.”
On the leadership role, Rachele said he thought it was time he tested himself after spending last season as vice-captain under BJ Squire.
And one glance at his numbers this season shows that the new role hasn’t affected his performance.
“I’ve found it to be really good,” he said.
“When BJ left it was something that I knew I should put my hand up for and try to take a bit more ownership and start acting like a leader.”
Shepparton Swans take on Euroa at Princess Park on Saturday at 2pm.
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