Why Izak Rankine has his heart set on being the No. 1 draft pick
SA young gun Izak Rankine says he wants to be the first indigenous player since Des Headland in 1998 to be the AFL’s number one draft pick.
IZAK Rankine has boldly declared he wants to be the AFL’s number one pick.
The South Australian excitement machine says becoming just the second indigenous player — and first since Des Headland went to Brisbane in 1998 — to be picked first at the AFL national draft would mean the world to him and the indigenous community.
“It was my dream growing up to be the No. 1 draft pick, so I’m hoping that might happen,’’ the West Adelaide forward/midfielder said three weeks before the draft at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
“I don’t want to sell myself short. I’d love to be No. 1 and eventually win a Brownlow.
“Everyone should shoot for the stars and I know what it would mean to indigenous people if I went at No. 1.
“Coming from my background it would mean a lot because football and our culture have a strong connection.
“To be the No. 1 pick would help me become an even stronger role model for the indigenous kids coming through.’’
Rankine, 18 and the only dual All-Australian under-18 in this year’s draft, is locked in a three-way battle with fellow Croweater Jack Lukosius, from Woodville-West Torrens, and Victorian Sam Walsh to be taken first overall.
“From what I’ve been hearing it’s between the three of us and it would be great if one of the SA boys gets taken first, whether it's me or Jack,’’ he said.
“We’ve all spoken to Carlton (which has pick one) a few times, so we’ll see what happens.’’
Port Adelaide and Adelaide own picks 5 and 8 respectively and have made no secret of their desire to move further up the draft order to give themselves a chance of drafting one of the star South Australians.
Clubs can this year trade picks until November 16 and then again at the November 22 and 23 draft.
Rankine described his Aboriginal heritage as “really important to me”.
He is Adelaide-born but a member of the Ngarrindjeri community while his father Ronald Sr hails from the tiny southeast town of Raukkan.
“Every time I run on to the field, I want to represent where I am from strongly,’’ Rankine said.
“I love football, it means everything to me, but I also want to use it as a platform for other things.
“I want to become a role model and leader for indigenous kids, give them someone they can look up to and relate to and help create paths for the younger generation.
“So I can’t wait to get into the AFL and do my thing.’’
Rankine said all indigenous footballers had been role models for him, most notably Essendon’s Michael Long, Sydney’s Michael O’Loughlin, St Kilda’s Nicky Winmar, Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli and Adelaide’s Eddie Betts, who has been his mentor this season.
Lukosius said he too would like to be drafted at No. 1, saying it would be “a great achievement’’.
But the key forward said he just wants to find an AFL home “so that I can have a crack at making it in the big time’’.
Lukosius described Rankine as “the most talented and exciting player’’ in the draft.