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Opinion
Izak Rankine has the potential to be the best player in the AFL.
With that in mind, Adelaide’s seemingly successful pursuit is a no-brainer, regardless of the cost.
The Crows took a step forward on the field in 2022, particularly after the bye with four wins and six losses with a percentage of 92.05 during that time.
It makes sense then, that the club believes signing Rankine will help them move up a level in the competition.
Of course there are vocal critics of the move and the point they make is predictable.
Rankine doesn’t fix all the team’s problems because the midfield is one-paced and with Josh Rachele the club’s first pick last year, as well as the breakout season from Shane McAdam with Ned McHenry and Lachie Murphy around the mark, the smaller forwards seem to be the most set position the Crows have.
Yet pigeonholing players into positions to fit a narrative is hardly a way to judge a club’s actions.
There’s no such thing as paying too much for a player you want to recruit and certainly, you can never have too much talent.
It’s funny how critical we are of bad clubs not willing to make big moves to try and promote immediate improvement but in a scenario like this, it’s deemed ludicrous to pay overs and trade away so much for Rankine.
The general rule is that to entice a player, a club has to offer more than they’re worth at face value in a contract. The trade value is between the clubs. The fifth pick will need to leave the hands of the Crows.
It’s certainly a risk to part with such a valuable asset at a minimum, particularly in a strong draft class. That’s the opportunity cost in conducting such business – if the Crows go down this path, they clearly believe in their key defensive stocks, missing out on the talented Jedd Busslinger.
The best midfield-capable, Crow-eligible players in the upcoming draft are George Wardlaw, Harry Sheezel and Elijah Tsatas. Only the latter could be available at Adelaide’s pick and he mightn’t be their preferred choice. Therefore, it’s clearly a risk worth taking.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Truthfully, there’s always been a sense of inevitability around the 22-year-old’s return to South Australia, particularly given the work the Crows had put into him as a junior and typically during his AFL career.
As a former pick 3 and known as a small forward, it has been super easy to be critical of Rankine’s often laissez-faire approach to his football.
It’s what many talented players are lauded for, using a near lackadaisical front to dominate games, making the game look carelessly easy.
Rankine’s done that too – he’s had games where he has stood far above the rest of the players on the ground with bits of play only he could complete.
Consistency has entered his game, not that it has been well-noted.
In the 13 games after Round 7, Rankine averaged 14 disposals, 2.8 tackles, 2.5 inside 50s and kicked 23.17, with 13 goal assists.
With the inclusion of players like Mal Rosas and Hewago Paul Oea at various times, there was a graduation in role to break the shackles of the “small forward” tag.
His average of 264.5 metres gained per game during that period mightn’t be revolutionary, but the clear career-high coincided with his movement higher up the ground, with a focus on providing support outside the contest.
That, ultimately, is the formative step in the end goal of what the Crows are looking to buy with Rankine.
Adelaide isn’t seeking a small forward to fill the hole left by Eddie Betts, which seems to be the unspoken truth of the criticisms of this move. It’s at the back of every critical piece of media’s mind and it’s unoriginal.
(Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)
No, the Crows will point towards the Suns’ upset win over Fremantle in Round 9, a game where Rankine had 18 disposals, 15 contested possessions, four tackles, two clearances and two goal assists. He missed both his shots on goal, but was one of the team’s most influential players.
How about Round 16 against Collingwood? Rankine had 18 disposals, kicked four goals and had a couple of clearances then too.
The strongest part of the North Melbourne team is their midfield, and Rankine had 16 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four clearances, four inside 50s and kicked 2.3 against them.
If we’re to be so critical of Adelaide’s midfield containing much of the same player, then we must be respectful of the plan to integrate Rankine into the mix – there are few cleaner, more skilled players in the entire competition.
The Shai Bolton comparison is logical in terms of the desire midfield/forward split and the potential impact that Rankine could have on his team, without the two having identical player profiles.
That, though, is what the Crows are banking on. The need for a traditional small forward isn’t exactly a pressing one, particularly with the brutish lead-up work of Darcy Fogarty mixed with the cleanliness of Taylor Walker, the potential aerial impact of Elliott Himmelberg as key forwards, and Riley Thilthorpe, who has the potential to be the best key position player in the league.
McAdam himself might be the most under-appreciated forward in the league, equally as capable as an undersized aerialist as he is with his tackling pressure.
Ultimately, though, the idea Adelaide has to solve their midfield woes is to recruit Rankine and develop Rachele into what Richmond uses with a rotation of Dustin Martin and the aforementioned Bolton.
Both players were dominant eye-catchers in juniors for their clear elite-level offensive instincts, as well as their incredible effectiveness when moved around the ball, both having the clean, contested ball-winning trait and footwork to escape any situation.
That, tied in with the tackling of Sam Berry, roundedness of Rory Laird and the rotational ability of Harry Schoenberg, Jake Soligo and Ben Keays, is how Adelaide can quickly turn the midfield from predictable to devastating.
Always having one of Rankine and Rachele in the midfield may have people scoffing at the moment, but in a couple of years, it’ll be the most jealousy-inducing duo on the competition.
Even if Rankine doesn’t meet his highest end potential, the Crows have identified a player who will feel comfortable at home and is coming off his third season of playing senior footy, where he had five games with at least three goals and found consistency in his tackling and ball-winning after Round 8.
Putting a ceiling on a player of Rankine’s ability though is a rookie error, as is thinking this move has emerged all of a sudden.
It wouldn’t surprise in the slightest if the Crows drafted Rachele last year with this combination in mind, playing the long game to give themselves a decisive attacking edge in the future.
Sure, it’s disappointing for the Suns and given their lack of success and the fact they’ve turned a corner for the future, the neutral feel disappointed on their behalf.
Yet there can be no criticism for a player accepting such a good contract to return home, nor towards the club showing great boldness in their bid to become relevant once again.
Adelaide’s response to winning the 2020 wooden spoon has been to add Jordan Dawson, Josh Rachele, Jake Soligo and now Izak Rankine to the club, as well as encouraging talents Zac Taylor and Luke Nankervis.
They’ve responded positively from a list perspective and the playing group will be better off for it sooner rather than later.
Adding Izak Rankine is just the latest in a series of good moves for Adelaide, who might be bringing in one of the future best players in the competition.