Injured Izak Rankine’s Gold Coast career might have come to an early end

The Gold Coast Suns won’t risk Izak Rankine in their final match of the season if there’s any doubt about his injured shoulder.

Izak Rankine’s Suns career could be over. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Izak Rankine may have played his last game for the Gold Coast, with Suns coach Stuart Dew saying the Adelaide target’s shoulder injury is likely to keep him out of Saturday’s final-round clash against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

The off-contract forward, who is weighing up a lucrative offer to join the Crows, further aggravated an existing shoulder problem in the Suns’ weekend loss to Geelong.

Suns star Izak Rankine receives attention on his injured shoulder. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“He hurt that (shoulder) a month ago and just got up the week after,” Dew said.

“He’s unlikely (to play) given he hasn’t trained, and we’ve got to take into account the risk factor there because he’s had a couple of incidents in games and a couple at training.

“We won’t take a risk with him, obviously, because it’s likely he’ll need an operation at the end of the year.

“We’ll weigh up the risk factor of playing him this week or not. If he’s not right, he’s not right.”

The Suns, who have again missed the finals, are desperate to finish the season on a high.

“That was our goal – to hit the (finish) line with a bit of speed.” Dew said.

“This week is an opportunity to do that, but North will be thinking the same thing.

“Although finals aren’t on the agenda, it’s another opportunity for four quarters of playing our brand.”

Originally published as Injured Izak Rankine’s Gold Coast career might have come to an early end