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Sport Nation
Not over yet: Crows pleading to find balance in Rankine case
Sam Edmund • August 20th, 2025 1:56 pm
Adelaide is poised to challenge the AFL’s findings around the Izak Rankine incident, potentially dragging the process into a fifth day.
The Crows are strongly considering making another submission to the league today, pushing back on elements of the integrity unit’s submission.
While the escalating war of words with Dan Houston has formed part of Adelaide’s defence, it is not the major piece.
Instead, the argument largely revolves around the importance of the games Rankine stands to miss, with the belief that finals should be given greater weight than home-and-away matches.
Precedence and the confirmation Rankine has made a homophobic slur towards a Pies player means the Crows forward is almost certain to receive a season-ending ban.
But Adelaide is committed to striking the delicate balance of doing everything it can for its player, while also acknowledging there’s no excusing the behaviour.
The Crows are mindful of showing the rest of the playing group they’re supporting Rankine to the best of their ability.
The drawn-out process states Adelaide has until the close of business today to formally respond to the AFL.
Having been alerted by Collingwood on Sunday, Adelaide sounded the alarm with the AFL later that same day.
The league’s integrity unit then sent a “please explain” to the Crows, who on Monday made their first submission to headquarters.
The AFL responded to Adelaide last night, with a recommended suspension believed to be included.
This is what the Crows are now sitting on, with coach Matthew Nicks moving his weekly media conference from today to Friday morning.
