The Adelaide Crows have been widely torched by their own fans and the broader AFL community for the shabby treatment of young gun Josh Rachele.

The Crows have dumped the exciting forward for their last game of the year in the aftermath of his antics against Port Adelaide last week.

The 21-year-old stoked the fires in the lead-up to the Showdown, playing the pantomime villain when he jokingly claimed Port Adelaide supporters “don’t have many teeth”.

And during the match, he goaded fans, pointing to his teeth while celebrating a goal in the second quarter.

Speaking exclusively to Channel 7 on Friday, Crows captain Jordan Dawson opened up on the behind-the-scenes meeting the club’s leadership group had with Rachele.

“Riling up the opposition crown and players unnecessarily is probably not going to benefit us to win the game,” Dawson said.

“So that’s what we’re ultimately there to do, and play our roles and perform to the best of our ability.

“To get the opposition up and about before the game, doesn’t help us win, so that’s where we were coming from.”

But the club is now being torched with fans thinking Rachele — a former No.6 draft pick from Victoria — will pack his bags and head home.