Top AFL draft prospect Izak Rankine to headline Loxton Gift

TOP AFL draft prospect Izak Rankine will showcase his blistering speed at Loxton today.

ON THE RUN: Exciting West Adelaide footballer Izak Rankine will contest the Loxton Gift. Picture: Dean Martin (AAP).

TOP AFL draft prospect Izak Rankine will showcase his blistering speed at Loxton today.

The brilliant 17-year-old West Adelaide footballer will compete in the Loxton Gift following his stunning victory in the Camden Gift at his professional running debut earlier this month.

Rankine — touted as a top-five selection at this year’s AFL draft — won the 120m Camden Gift from the novice mark of 7m.

He also won last year’s SANFL grand final sprint.

Rankine has nominated for both the Gift and 70m open sprint races.

Last year's Gift winner Jack Norris will return to defend his title while Brad Schutz and Jarrad Dartnell are other former winners in the field.

Hayden Rothe, who ran third in last year’s final, should again be a strong contender.

The backmarker in the Men’s Gift is Victorian Isaac Dunmall, who won the prestigious Stawell Gift in 2016.

The women’s gift also has attracted strong field, headlined by reigning champion Ryelie McMullan and last year’s third placegetter Kellie Symons.

Past winners Lauren McHugh and Katie Jury also are competing.

Racing begins at Loxton Oval at 5pm with a near-record 322 athletes nominating for the 50-race program.

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