Kensington Gardens man charged after alleged threats made to Adelaide Crows star Izak Rankine
Police have arrested a Kensington Gardens man over a series of alleged threatening social media messages sent to Adelaide Crows superstar Izak Rankine earlier this year.
A Kensington Gardens man has been arrested over a series of alleged threatening social media messages sent to Adelaide Crows superstar Izak Rankine earlier this year.
Police allege five threatening messages were sent to Rankine via social media on September 8. Rankine reported the matter to police.
The threats came four days after the Crows’ home qualifying final loss to Collingwood, while Rankine was suspended for making a homophobic slur.
Following a lengthy investigation by the SAPOL Cybercrime Investigation Section, the 31-year-old Kensington Gardens man was arrested on December 8.
The man was charged with using a carriage service in an offensive manner and bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 30, 2026.
A statement from the Adelaide Crows confirmed two of it players had been targeted.
“Adelaide can confirm two of its players were subject to direct and significant threats on a social media platform,” the statement read.
“Subsequently, reports were made to South Australia Police in September which prompted investigations.
“The AFL Integrity Unit was advised of the matters and both players have been provided with the necessary and ongoing support.
“Any form of online abuse, discrimination or threatening behaviour is unacceptable and it has no place in our society.”
It has been a turbulent year for Rankine, who was handed a four-match ban in August after using a homophobic slur in the Crows’ win over Collingwood in Round 23.
It saw the 25-year-old miss Adelaide’s entire finals campaign, which ended in a straight-sets defeat despite finishing on top of the ladder at the end of the minor round.
SAPOL said people experiencing online abuse can make a report to police or report online at Report Cyber.gov.au
