AFL Integrity Unit Launches Investigation
Adelaide star Izak Rankine in action during the Crows’ clash with Collingwood
Adelaide Crows recruit Izak Rankine is under investigation by the AFL after he was accused of uttering a homophobic slur during Saturday night’s match against Collingwood. The AFL revealed on Monday that its integrity unit was conducting inquiries into the in-game incident. The governing body said its league spokesperson that the governing body was aware of the alleged incident and had commenced an investigation.
The Adelaide Football Club has confirmed the incident that a player of theirs was involved and that negotiations with the AFL are being held. The reported incident occurred at a closely contested game when the Crows registered a hard-fought three-point victory against the Magpies.
Adelaide’s Response to the Allegation
The Crows released a statement on Monday to say that they had acknowledged the AFL’s probes. The club stated in their release that they are working with the league during the process. The case has commanded much publicity despite no result being established so far, given the player’s importance to Adelaide’s finals campaign.
Crows skipper Jordan Dawson addressed the issue before training, stating that the club would go through the process. He stated that the timing was “not ideal” but added the inquiry had to go through to its end before a finding is made.
Rankine’s Role in Adelaide’s Season
Rankine has caused havoc in setting up Adelaide in gaining some relevance to the premiership this season. He injected some creativity and goal-kicking power into the forward line after signing with the Crows in 2022, after playing at Gold Coast. The 25-year-old played an average of 20.5 possessions and kicked 31 goals this season alone to become one of the influential members of the club.
This is as Adelaide enters its first September Series since 2017, and Rankine has never played a September Series. His suspension would represent a big blow to a team that is in its quest to achieve its first premiership in 20 years.
Precedents of Player Suspensions
AFL has also been tough on the use of homophobic slurs on the field. In recent years, several players have been suspended for three to six matches. Sydney’s Riak Andrew was suspended for five matches earlier this year for a breach in a VFL match, while West Coast’s Jack Graham attracted four matches after reporting himself for using a slur in an AFL match.
Gold Coast defender Wil Powell and Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson were both suspended for incidents in AFL matches in 2023, and St Kilda’s Lance Collard got a six-match ban in the VFL. It is under these precedents that, should Rankine be found guilty, his suspension would continue into Adelaide’s finals campaign.
Potential Impact on Adelaide’s Finals Campaign
Adelaide is in a good position heading into September, the last regular-season match coming against North Melbourne. The victory would wrap up the minor premiership, but the Crows will still play at least two finals either way.
If Rankine is banned for three to five matches, the season would be finished for him. The AFL integrity unit will review the evidence, speak with the parties involved, and determine if action should be taken.
Integrity Unit Process
When addressing such cases, the AFL integrity unit interviews the players concerned, reviews footage, and considers the context of the alleged incident. While the process has no fixed timeline, decisions are generally made swiftly to provide clarity before finals.
Corporate affairs general manager Jay Allen has also verified that the matter is being addressed directly by the integrity unit. He again reiterated that the AFL is eager to address inappropriate behavior across the competition.
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Final Thoughts
The case of Izak Rankine is still under advisement as the AFL still completes its investigation. The Crows will wait for the report to come from the league, relax, and prepare their next game against North Melbourne. Adelaide will commence its first finals campaign in seven years, and the call will prove to be a key determinant in the September fate of the club.
