AFL round 6: Gold Coast debutant Izak Rankine scores with first touch
It didn’t take long for Gold Coast Suns prodigy Izak Rankine to prove he was the real deal, scoring a “filthy” goal with his first touch.
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When it was announced Izak Rankine would make his AFL debut this weekend, people close to the Gold Coast Suns prodigy promised big things from the small forward.
But nobody could have predicted he would score with his first touch against the Melbourne Demons on Saturday evening.
After cleaning up a loose ball with a basketball bounce inside the opposition’s 50, Rankine sidestepped James Harme before booting the footy over his left shoulder for an astounding 35-metre goal.
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The crowd went berserk when the Sherrin sailed between the posts, and extended the Suns’ lead to seven points in the first quarter.
First touch and Rankine has already delivered on the hope and promise ... and the hopes are big
— Michael Gleeson (@mickgleeson) July 11, 2020
Izak Rankine with wayyyyy too much sauce for a guy in his first quarter in the AFL sheeeshhh 🔥🔥🔥 #AFLDeesSuns
— Chris De Silva (@cdesilva23) July 11, 2020
What a man opening statement from Rankine. That was special. #AFLDeesSuns
— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) July 11, 2020
That was seriously filthy from Rankine. Bounces the footy like a basketball, right foot step... and a blind snap over his shoulder. You won't find a better debut goal than that #AFL
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) July 11, 2020
“What about that for your first? What about that?” Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson cried.
“Is that a taste of what we’re going to see?”
Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown agreed: “That is unbelievable … great effort that.”
Melbourne great Garry Lyon continued: “We’re all just smiling, it puts a smile on your face.
“What about the composure and the goal awareness? There’s the package, that’s why there’s so much excitement about this kid.”
In the first half of Gold Coast’s round six fixture at Giants Stadium in Sydney, Rankine managed six disposals, one behind and 124 gained metres.
The 20-year-old scored his second goal of the match with an accurate football kick late in the third quarter. Hudson boldly called it the “best first two goals ever”.
With the Suns trailing by seven points in the final quarter, Rankine secured a match-high third goal to bring the game back to life.
“This is unbelievable,” Brown cried.
“How exciting is this?”
I’ve waited so long to see Izak play ... and he has not disappointed. Brilliant first two goals ... May there be many more to come!! #AFLDeesSuns
— Nat Edwards (@Nat_Edwards) July 11, 2020
Unfortunately, Rankine was unable to put away a couple more chances on offer late in the fourth quarter
Rankine joined the Gold Coast Suns as the No. 3 pick in the 2018 AFL Draft, but the South Australian missed most of the 2019 season with injury.
But following the shoulder injury of teammate Matthew Rowell, Rankine was finally added to the starting side this week.
“I was just excited and it was like a weight lifted off my shoulder,” Rankine told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“It’s pretty surreal. I’m pretty excited to be playing finally.”
Speaking to foxfooty.com.au, WA talent pathways manager Mick Ablett labelled Rankine a “future superstar” and compared him to an Adelaide legend.
“I think he’s a once in a generation type player … he’s an absolute elite talent,” Ablett said.
“I’ve likened him to Andrew McLeod a number of times – and I stand by that. I think he’s the closest thing I’ve seen to McLeod in terms of he’s got that beautiful burst of speed when he needs it, but also that composure and ability to put a game into slow motion yet do freakish things at various times.
“He’s a genuine matchwinner and should be a future superstar of the AFL. You want to see those guys playing because they’re the reason that we all go to the footy.”
As the final siren sounded at Giants Stadium, the Suns were narrowly behind on the scoreboard, losing the match 12.8 (80) to 9.9 (63).
Gold Coast are scheduled to take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG next Saturday for their round seven fixture.
Originally published as AFL round 6: Gold Coast debutant Izak Rankine scores with first touch