Izak Rankine a big game player, says SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford

VICTORIOUS South Australian under-18 coach Tony Bamford has described speed machine Izak Rankine as a “big game player’’ and said he was waiting to turn the national championship decider into his playground.

Bailey Smith of Vic Metro tackles Izak Rankine of South Australia during the U18 AFL Championship match between Vic Metro and South Australia at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

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VICTORIOUS South Australian under-18 coach Tony Bamford has described speed machine Izak Rankine as a “big game player’’ and said he was waiting to turn the national championship decider into his playground.

“It was good to see that Izac got a chance to show what he could really do,’’ Bamford said after the West Adelaide small forward/midfielder showcased his incredible talent with a five-goal display against Vic Metro that sealed the Croweaters their first under-18 division one national title since 2014.

“His form was building as the program was rolling out and he played an exceptional (last) game.

“He’s a big game player, he likes the big moments, and talking to him between games one and four I could just feel that that something special was about to happen and he didn’t let us down.’’

Bamford would not be drawn on whether Rankine’s jaw-dropping display in the 55-point win on Wednesday had thrust him into contention — alongside tall teammate Jack Lukosius — to be taken at pick one at this year’s national draft.

But he emphasised just what a special talent both of his matchwinners are.

“It’s hard for me to say (how high they will go) because I don't spend too much time looking at the other States but they are the type of players who you normally see just once in 10 years,’’ Bamford said.

“Izak will go somewhere between one and five I would imagine and Jack the same.’’

Bamford hailed the overall quality of his group, which included six All-Australians, as it won its four matches by an average of 49 points.

“I’m just really lucky to have been able to work with such a talented group of players in one year,’’ he said.

“It doesn’t happen very often to have so much top-end talent in the same age bracket.

“We knew this age bracket was good two years ago when they played together in under-16s (and won the title), so it’s no surprise that this group would roll out a depth of talent that was going to be hard to stop at national level and they didn’t let us down.

SA U18 championship players Tom Lewis and Jez McLennan lead the team at Adelaide Airport. Picture: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

“The boys wanted to perform well on the big stage and they did.’’

Bamford said while winning wasn’t the be-all and end-all for an elite group, the players took matters into their own hands before the championships decider against Vic Metro.

“We spoke about that as a group at our team meeting on Tuesday night, that if we were to stop the program now then would we walk away satisfied, having three wins,’’ he said.

“The group was unanimous that they had business to do the next day so that filled us with great confidence that winning was important to them in the end.’’

SA had a 43-point half-time lead cut to just 11 early in third quarter but the Croweaters lifted when challenged to kick clear.

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