‘Just showing off’: Izak Rankine’s magic moment in huge Crows win

The footy world stood and applauded after Adelaide’s “Magician” slotted an extraordinary goal of the year contender at the MCG.

Izak Rankine ignited the MCG with a goal of the year contender that had the AFL world talking in Adelaide’s 61-point belting of Essendon.

The 24-year-old has earned the nickname “The Magician” since bursting onto the scene in 2020, with a hamstring injury preventing him from earning a possible first All Australian jumper in a new midfield role last season.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

But it is around the goals that Rankine produces his scintillating best and he may have sewn up the 2025 Goal of the Year with his third quarter effort in the Crows’ dominant 25.11 (161) to 15.10 (100) victory on Saturday afternoon.

Bursting down the right-hand boundary line with Bomber Andrew McGrath chasing forlornly in his wake, Rankine took two bounces and then slotted a sensational goal that stretched Adelaide’s lead past 60 points.

Check out the goal in the video player above

The angle of Izak Rankine’s goal (far left) was ridiculous. Photo: Fox Sports

“Tex wants it deep, Rankine wants to back himself and he wants a highlight reel to match,” Leigh Montagna screamed on Fox Footy.

“They are putting on a clinic at the MCG.”

Garry Lyon stated: “That’s just showing off.”

Jason Dunstall added: “You can’t explain how highly skilled that is. Without breaking stride you are kicking with no angle.”

Rankine finished the game with 15 disposals, five marks and two goals, but the manner of his contributions are far more telling than the stats.

Coach Matthew Nicks enjoyed the moment. Photo: Fox Sports

And so did goal umpire David Rodan. Photo: Fox Sports

The third pick in the 2018 draft was subbed out soon after with what the Crows called ‘management’ and teammate Riley Thilthorpe had a dig at Rankine on Triple M after the game.

“’Ranks’ is pretty good,” he said. “He kicked goal of the year and then ran off and sat on the bench for the rest of the game.”

Coach Matthew Nicks, who was seen grinning after Rankine’s goal, confirmed after the game the star’s injury history and the state of the game prompted the call to sub him off.

“Yeah, he’s fine,” he said. “We’re in a unique position where we can make a decision around where the game is at and (with) Izak’s history on the MCG, (it’s) one that sits in the back of your mind as a coach.”

Rankine (right) was subbed out shortly after the stunning goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Fans and pundits alike on social media were losing their minds at his audacious goal.

The Crows’ official account captioned a video of the goal on X: “Is he even from this planet?!”

The Proper Crows podcast tweeted: “Izak Rankine, you are a freak.”

Ryan Adamson declared: “Izak Rankine is the best football player in the world. I don’t do ifs, buts or maybes, I do absolutes.”

Another fan wrote: “I have an unhealthy love for Izak Rankine.”

A fifth stated: “Crows fan Give him goal of the yr already!!!”

A sixth admitted: “My brain can’t handle how good this is.”

The impressive win was Adelaide’s second from as many games this season and moved it to second on the ladder ahead of next week’s home clash with North Melbourne.

Originally published as ‘Just showing off’: Izak Rankine’s magic moment in huge Crows win