AFL Draft prospect Izak Rankine catches talent scouts’ eyes while playing for SANFL side West Adelaide and South Australia
THIS talented SA footballer is not paying attention to comments talking up his football potential, instead he’s focused on helping West Adelaide win more games.
IZAK Rankine is not paying attention to comments talking up his football potential.
Such as the one from his state under-18 coach Brenton Phillips saying he is talented enough to be playing in the AFL now despite being too young to be drafted until next year.
Instead, Rankine, 17, is concentrating on performing well for West Adelaide.
“I’ve heard a couple of things but don’t want to blow my head up,” Rankine says.
“I haven’t said anything (about the comments), just kept it cool.
“Things are going well for me.
“I just want to stay consistent.”
Anyone who has seen Rankine play over the past 12 months will not be surprised by the excitement surrounding him.
The pacy and clever forward/midfielder has kicked 11 goals from eight league matches for the Bloods, including two on debut against Norwood last year when he was just 16.
This month, Rankine was the only bottom-ager chosen in the all-Australian under-18 team after booting six goals and averaging 19.3 disposals during the national underage titles.
“On my (league) debut I was nervous, for sure, but as soon as I crossed that white line, the nerves went away and it was just about playing football.
“I wasn’t really expecting it to come that fast but it was a good achievement.
“(During the national titles) I stepped up as an under-ager and I took the game on.
“I’ve got to do it again next year.”
Rankine, of Mile End, has climbed the ranks at the Bloods from their under-13s.
He says the club and coach Mark Mickan have been crucial to his development.
“Coming into the senior side, it’s a lot more about structure,” Rankine says.
“It’s not just about running around with the ball, it’s about playing your role.”
Rankine, who is 178cm and 74kg, juggles football with basketball for Forestville’s under-18s.
“I enjoy it a lot – it’s another outlet from football,” says Rankine, a fan of NBA team Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sport has always played a major role in his family.
His mother Kerry was a netballer and his three sisters and three brothers tried everything from tennis to rugby.
But football is the family tradition considering his father Ronald Sr is a one-time best and fairest winner at Rosewater.
Brothers Ronald Jr lines up for Modbury, Kobe is at Flinders Park, while Matthew is with South Adelaide and a former under-18 representative.
“We’d always play in the front yard,” Rankine says.
“Kobe’s probably been the biggest help, someone to go one-on-one against to help me develop.
“Matty tells me to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Rankine is very close to his family and it does not take long for him to talk proudly of his heritage.
He is Adelaide-born but a member of the Ngarrindjeri community and Ronald Sr hails from the tiny southeast town of Raukkan.
Rankine, 17, has been to Raukkan quite a few times to see aunties, uncles and learn about more about his lineage.
Family is the major motivation behind his AFL dream.
“Getting drafted would mean everything.
“I’d be able to help my family.
“I’d hope they’d be pretty proud of me.”