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Sport Nation
Whateley: A disappointing moment from a disappointing administration
Gerard Whateley • August 21st, 2025 9:52 pm
The four-week suspension of Izak Rankine is such a disappointing moment from a disappointing administration.
It is the AFL’s stand to rid the game of homophobic language… a campaign they began last season
From what we understand it is specifically Andrew Dillon’s stand.
From what we understand it is specifically Andrew Dillon’s stand.
And at the moment of greatest challenge he couldn’t see it through.
The penalty for the use of a homophobic slur without self-reporting is 5 weeks.
This confected outcome hid behind “compelling medical submissions”.
All those involved know they can avoid accountability by using such an oblique phrase.
What they miss is the cynicism this strategy prompts across the football landscape.
Mental health might be the most serious issue the sport faces.
We listen to the lessons, we change our attitudes, we moderate our thinking and we try to educate ourselves and others.
But the AFL tucks the illicit drug policy behind that curtain and now a contentious suspension on the cusp of the finals.
If the AFL was going to deviate from its desired penalty of five weeks, Dillon needed to explain plainly and clearly why such a reduction was arrived at and justify the decision.
He failed to do so.
Adelaide wanted three matches… the AFL wanted five… the outcome was four.
The clubs various submissions included the worth of finals versus regular season games and provocation or more accurately the agitation Rankine felt on the night.
The Crows didn’t include any Snoop Dogg reference in the formal submission but the half time entertainment and the notion of hypocrisy was referenced in various discussions as was carefully reported.
But the master stroke was the medical submission.
No one involved will ever reveal what was contained therein because medical issues are confidential.
And how convenient that was cited as the decisive factor.
Dillon and his legal team should have travelled to Adelaide on Tuesday and sat with the Crows administration.
Dillon should have said the penalty is five weeks now let’s hear your submissions.
Dillon should have followed up with the penalty is five weeks now let’s hear your appeal.
And finally Dillon should have said the penalty is five weeks now let’s go and front the press conference.
That should have happened regardless which club and which player it was.
Instead we had days of horse trading.
This was the moment a struggling administration needed to hold firm in what it believes in and show unwavering commitment and leadership.
But Dillon and his executive couldn’t see it through.
It’s just so disappointing.
And a little bit more faith is lost in those running the game.
