AFL tribunal: Dan Houston suspended for five weeks for bump on Izak Rankine

Dan Houston will miss the Grand Final — should Port Adelaide qualify — after being slapped with a hefty ban for his bump on Izak Rankine.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Izak Rankine of the Crows is knocked out by a late hit from Dan Houston of the Power during the round 23 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval, on August 17, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Dan Houston will be watching from the stands if Port Adelaide qualifies for this year’s Grand Final after being hit with a five-week suspension for his bump on Adelaide’s Izak Rankine.

The Port Adelaide star showed genuine remorse following Saturday’s clash against the Crows, with the club arguing that his actions were careless and it could be accepted that he made no contact with Rankine’s head.

They presented the case that Houston should only receive a three-week suspension to ensure he could appear in a grand final if the Power progressed that far. The AFL argued a five-week ban was more appropriate.

Rankine was left seriously concussed from the incident and had to be stretchered from the ground. During the tribunal hearing on Tuesday night, the AFL also confirmed via Rankine’s medical report that he suffered a grade one AC joint shoulder injury from the incident.

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The potential to play on the final Saturday of September was one of a myriad of reasons Port Adelaide presented to try and mitigate the length of Houston’s suspension. From the outset, they confirmed they would not challenge the classification of the charge.

Dan Houston collects Izak Rankine in the Showdown. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Rather than giving regular evidence, Houston read out a statement referencing his remorse and genuine belief he should not miss the grand final as a result of the incident. He also confirmed that he was unsure why he did not attempt to make a tackle.

“I don’t know why I didn’t tackle,” Houston said. “In the past, this has been my first instinct. I don’t know why I decided to bump because I can’t remember making that decision because it all happened so quickly.”

The Power also argued that Houston’s actions, while not taking away his responsibility for the incident, are permitted under the current provisions. Port Adelaide counsel Ben Krupka presented the case that the incident happened within play, it was possible to confirm no contact with Rankine’s head was made and that it was clearly a careless incident.

He also argued that it is not the initial contact that causes the concussion, but when Rankine hits the ground after.

“We accept our responsibility in that, but in the laws of the game Houston did nothing wrong.”

Dan Houston lays out Izak Rankine in the showdown multi-call (MMM/Fiveaa/AFL NATION) #AFLPowerCrowspic.twitter.com/MOPTgEJudb

— Lace out (@laceoutofficial) August 18, 2024

Rankine is seen to by Adelaide trainers. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Houston’s good record also came into play, with Port Adelaide stating that a more lenient punishment should be considered since he has played 168 AFL games with only one fine in his career. Krupka also pointed the tribunal to the fact that when Charlie Cameron got off for his good record, he had five previous blemishes on his record.

The AFL was clear from the start that this case was a serious breach of duty of care. In comparing to previous incidents this year, they felt that while it was more severe than Peter Wright and Sam Powell-Pepper’s four-game suspensions, it was less serious than Jimmy Webster’s seven-week ban.

Footage was played from several angles which showed that Houston was in full flight before making contact with Rankine and that he had a run-up of about eight metres before the incident. The fact that he had the option to tackle and didn’t was also a key factor in the AFL’s case.

The tribunal found that Houston did seriously breach his duty of care when engaging to bump Rankine.

In reading out his findings, tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson referenced the vulnerable position Rankine was in waiting for the ball and the fact that Houston had the opportunity to tackle but “he chose not to”.

They were also satisfied that Houston made contact with Rankine’s upper shoulder and neck, and was responsible for Rankine’s head making forceful contact with the ground.

While they were compassionate to some of Houston’s extenuating circumstances, the fact he could miss the grand final did not come into their consideration at all.

Originally published as AFL tribunal: Dan Houston suspended for five weeks for bump on Izak Rankine