AFL Trades 2022: All the news and analysis as Izak Rankine officially joins the Crows

Izak Rankine grew up idolising Crows greats Andrew McLeod, Eddie Betts and Jason Porplyzia. But it was a newer face who helped him over the past month.

New Adelaide Crow Izak Rankine has revealed that Jordan Dawson was a “big help” for him as he waited to be traded to the club he supported as a boy.

Eleven weeks after he requested a trade from Gold Coast to the Crows, Rankine finally completed his move to Adelaide on Monday.

The 22-year-old grew up idolising players such as Andrew McLeod, Eddie Betts and Jason Porplyzia.

But it was one of the club’s newer players who helped him, as his wait for a move to the Crows stretched out.

Izak Rankine in his new Crows colours. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“Jordan Dawson has been a big help for me,” Rankine said.

“We had a couple of phone conversations here and there.

“He went through a similar thing last year, so I’ve started to build a relationship with him.

“He was in the same position, it was good to talk to someone about it. He’s a good lad.”

Rankine arrived at the Crows, for a deal centred around pick 5, after four years at the Suns.

It was expected he would sign a new deal and stay at the Suns, who selected him with pick No. 3 in the 2018 draft.

Rankine himself said he was focusing on the Suns, but the Round 15 loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval changed his thinking, and he decided to look at a move back to South Australia to be around friends and family.

“It was just very nice to have my family in the change rooms post game for once,” he said.

“I was there with all my nieces and nephews and all that.

“That kind of started the spark there.

“My head was always about playing footy for the Gold Coast but that was when it started to be a possibility.”

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Rankine spoke to the media as a Crow for the first time on Tuesday. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

The damaging small forward, who might also move into the midfield at the Crows, is recovering from shoulder surgery.

He said he was confident he would be right for Round 1 next year.

“I’ll be ready to go by round one, I’ll come in here and the fitness boys will look after me and give me a plan,” he said.

Rankine moves back to the Adelaide fishbowl, having been away from a footy mad state in Queensland.

He said he was looking forward to the increased scrutiny.

“I think that’s when I play my best footy, with a bit of expectation,” he said.

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Izak Rankine’s move to Adelaide has also been motivated by the opportunity to spend more time playing in the midfield.

Although his decision to leave Gold Coast to join the Crows centres around homesickness and a lucrative contract offer, the South Australian wants to have stints on the ball next season, which he expects to get in the tricolours.

The 22-year-old made his name as a small forward in his 48 games in four seasons at the Suns, but his electric pace and smarts would give the Crows a very different look in the engine room.

Rankine was officially traded to West Lakes – along with pick 46 and a future fourth-round selection – in exchange for Adelaide’s pick 5, a future third and a future fourth-round selection, on Monday.

Izak Rankine is a Crow. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Rankine had been quite close to re-signing with Gold Coast.

The Suns were understood to have put a three-year deal to him – not as long as what was hoped – that was reportedly in the vicinity of $650,000 a season.

But late in the campaign, the pull of home became stronger.

While Covid had an influence, there was not believed to be a specific moment that made Rankine want to explore his options.

Essendon, which had long been keen on the 2018 No. 3 pick, made an attractive offer.

Rankine had good chats with former Bombers coach Ben Rutten and list manager Adrian Dodoro.

Adelaide was not understood to be as aggressive as the Bombers in pursuing Rankine but just as keen to get him.

Ultimately, the West Adelaide product wanted to return to SA to be around family so chose the Crows.

Rankine was drafted by the Suns at pick 3 in 2018. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images

Rankine made his SANFL League as a 16-year-old. Picture: Tom Huntley

Adelaide’s deal is understood to be worth between $800,000 and $850,000, spread evenly over the duration of the contract.

After telling Gold Coast officials of his intentions, the Suns upped their offer but not by too much due to salary cap constraints.

The Suns were disappointed in Rankine’s decision but still held hope he might change his mind.

Gold Coast flew his family from Adelaide to watch the last home game in round 22, only for it to backfire, making him miss them more.

The Power was never in the race for Rankine, who only wanted to join the Crows.

Despite the Bombers’ interests, it was always likely to be Adelaide once he opted to exit the Suns.

Rankine is very close to his family and a childhood Crows supporter, while Adelaide needs more speed and class so it looms as a perfect fit.