Izak Rankine was a highlights package for West Adelaide. Does he win goal or mark of the year?
THE brilliance of West Adelaide’s Izak Rankine has been on show all season and he will be taken high in the national draft. But will he leave with a goal of mark of the year gong? See this year’s contenders and tell us who you think should win.
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WANT a couple of snapshots of young gun Izak Rankine’s potential and why AFL scouts have been all over his highlights reel all season, just watch the candidates for mark and goal of the SANFL season.
The West Adelaide small forward has a contender in both, having made his high-flying leap in the goal square against Glenelg look easy. His dance into goal against Port Adelaide also shows off his composure and rare talents.
Is it worthy of goal of the year? Is it the mark of the year?
Connor Rozee, the North Adelaide kid whose draft stocks keep rising with each finals appearance, also has his name among the goals after a long bomb at Noarlunga Oval.
There are seven marks and seven goals to be judged.
For me, the goal of the year belongs to Rozee’s Roosters teammate Jarred Allmond for his 75m effort against Sturt at Prospect Oval.
He even fooled the commentators. “He will kick to a dangerous spot. Gee, that is a raking, raking, raking, raking ball”.
Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg took four bounces before unleashing from 45m on a difficult angle for a sensational goal against the Roosters at The Parade. What was just as impressive was Grigg’s celebration, raising the arms in triumph immediately after the ball left the boot. It was an absolutely beauty though.
As for mark of the year, West Adelaide forward Mason Middleton’s head can vouch for the stunning climb of teammate Jono Beech against Port Adelaide. Having a look at the view from up high is nothing new for Beech.
Graham Cornes knew how to take a screamer, and in fact made it a habit. He can’t split the efforts of Beech and Rankine.
Richmond Oval was also the venue for the impressive mark by Roosters veteran Leigh Ryswyk. What added to the theatre of the grab was the reaction from the trio of young Roosters fans on the terraces.
A SANFL selection panel will choose the overall winners of both prizes, with the successful pair to be announced on grand final day on Sunday. They will earn a $500 prize courtesy of Statewide Super.