AFL Tribunal: Dan Houston learns Port Adelaide fate for Rankine hit

Dan Houston has finally learned his fate at the AFL Tribunal and it is not good news for him or the Port Adelaide footy club.

James Dampney

8 min read

August 20, 2024 - 9:37PM

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Dan Houston has learned his fate for that sickening shot on Izak Rankine and it makes for sorry reading for the defender and the Port Adelaide club.

The Power standout opted to bump Rankine in the third quarter of last Saturday’s typically feisty Showdown, with the Crow slamming his head into the turf after the contact and being knocked out cold.

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The moment sparked an all-in melee and led to speculation over a long suspension for the 27-year-old Houston.

A long ban would end Houston’s season and potentially deny him a grand final appearance if the Power get that far.

With rumours swirling Houston is keen on a return to Victoria next season, it would also mark one of his final contributions from his seven seasons in Adelaide.

And that is exactly what has played out, with the 2023 All Australian handed a five-match ban, bringing his 2024 season to a close, barring a Power appeal.

Dan Houston (centre) arrives for his Tribunal hearing. Picture: Mark Brake

In a damning assessment released by the AFL Tribunal following the verdict and a long deliberation of close to an hour, it swiped Houston over the act that left Rankine heavily concussed.

It also didn’t take into account the verdict would end Houston’s hopes of a finals campaign this season.

“We consider the appropriate sanction is five weeks for the reasons set out above,” the statement read.

“His carelessness was significant, the impact was severe. The immediate consequences for Rankine were evident, he was concussed, it appears his shoulder was hurt and there was the potential for more serious injury.

“We do not consider the circumstances give rise to exceptional and compelling circumstances.

“We do not consider the consequence of missing finals and potentially a grand final impacts the sanction that should be imposed, particularly for such a serious breach and such a significant injury.”

Houston could well now have played his 168th and final match in Power colours.

Catch up on how the night unfolded with our running copy below (all times AEST).

8.39pm – “Carelessness was significant, impact was severe”

Part of the long wait with the deliberation was the AFL Tribunal putting together its reasoning behind the five-match ban.

The long explanation does not make for pretty reading for the Power defender.

“Izak Rankine was waiting under a high ball, he moving in the same direction as the ball, his eyes were on the ball, and he was exposed and vulnerable to any forceful contact from an opposing player,” the Tribunal statement reads.

“An opposing player has a clear duty of care in these circumstances not to commit an act which can be reasonably foreseen to result in a reported offence.

“Houston breaches that duty of care, and his breach was significant.

The resulting injuries suffered by Rankine and a duty of care were key in the Tribunal’s decision. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He had time to think, he had time to weigh up his options. He had time and the clear opportunity to tackle. He chose to run at speed for several metres and forcefully bumped Rankine.

“We are satisfied he made forceful contact to Rankine’s upper shoulder and neck. His forceful contact also resulted in Rankine’s head making forceful contact with the ground.”

The statement also mentioned the “vulnerability” that Rankine faced in his position and added ruled Houston had produced “a serious breach of the duty of care”.

It also added Houston’s record and contrition was taken into account, but it still didn’t prevent the Tribunal handing down the hefty ban and said missing finals was not an issue it considered.

“Rankine could have expected to be tackled, he could not reasonably have expected to be bumped high,” it added.

“We’ve taken into account Houston’s guilty plea, among other things, including his good record, his contrition and the need for consistency compared with other recent comparable Tribunal decisions.

Dan Houston arriving at the Tribunal and the Rankine hit. Photos: News Corp/Getty Images

“Having done so, we consider the appropriate sanction is five weeks for the reasons set out above.

“We do not consider the circumstances give rise to exceptional and compelling circumstances.

8.18pm – Houston finally learns his fate

The verdict is in and Dan Houston has been suspended for five matches.

It ends the Port star’s season and any chance of playing in a premiership in 2024.

With speculation he is keen on a return to Victoria, the Showdown also sits now as his likely final game for the Power pending any appeal from the club.

The Tribunal deliberated for close to an hour before making the ruling.

8.05pm – Still no verdict

All parties finished their arguments around 45 minutes ago and the Tribunal is now deliberating.

There is plenty for the panel to discuss and there’s still no news on the final number of weeks and prospects for the rest of 2024 for the Port star.

7.33pm – Houston states his case

The Port defender has just addressed the Tribunal.

“Dan Houston read from a prepared statement that he never intended to cause any harm to Izak Rankine and wasn’t sure if he made head-high contact with him,” David Zita reported on AFL360.

“He says ‘I don’t know why I decided to bump because I can’t remember making the decision, it all happened so quickly’.

“The Adelaide medical report does list an AC joint injury to Rankine.

“The Power are trying to argue this is evidence contact was to the body rather than to the head.”

Zita added it’s still “line ball” between a three or five-match suspension.

7.25pm – Tex Walker offers his take

Crows veteran Taylor Walker has been asked about the Houston incident and the possible outcome on AFL360 and whether a long suspension is likely.

“You’d think so,” he said. “The bump is being pushed out of our game and obviously the outcome, Izak being concussed on the weekend.

“He’s on the improve, which is great, the welfare of Izak is super important.

“But I’m sure it’ll take care of itself tonight.”

Tex was also asked if he thought Rankine had been deliberately targeted on the night.

Taylor Walker (right) has been concerned for Rankine after the hit. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“There’s been comments it looked like a targeted attack on the weekend,” he said.

“I don’t think teams necessarily target people as such.

“You always want to limit good players … there was a bit more heat on Izak than you usually would but it’s because he’s an absolute star of our game.

“We just want Izak to be healthy, he’s a super player and better person.”

6.55pm – The first case is bad news for GWS

Before the Dan Houston hearing gets underway, GWS’ Lachie Ash was fighting a one-match ban for his tackle on Fremantle’s Hayden Young on Saturday.

Young was in possession when Ash laid the tackle, slamming the Docker into the turf and forcing his head into the ground.

The Giants were optimistic of beating the rough conduct charge, which was Ash’s second offence, but it has fallen short and he will miss this weekend’s huge clash with the Western Bulldogs.

Ash will miss the Giants’ final match of the regular season. Photo: Phil Hillyard

“Lachie Ash’s one-match ban has been upheld by the AFL Tribunal,” Fox Footy reported.

“Pretty long deliberation but ultimately, despite the Giants arguing his conduct was not unreasonable, the Tribunal found that it was.

“After carefully considering this matter, the Tribunal found Ash engaged in rough conduct, the tackle was unreasonable because Ash pinned Young’s right arm and used excessive force in taking Young to ground.”

6.20pm – Port’s tough task overturning a long ban

Most fans and pundits believe Houston is set for a long stint on the sidelines, given the result for Rankine after the contact.

Fox Footy reporter David Zita said the writing appears to already be on the wall for the key Port defender.

“I expect the AFL to ask for a ban of at least five matches for Dan Houston,” he said on Tuesday night.

“Four could be the minimum given it was referred directly to the Tribunal.

“But I do think they’re going for a five-match ban which would end his season.”

Zita believes Port’s only real case is to argue the contact was not to Rankine’s head and the impact came from the Crow’s landing on the turf, but it’s one heck of a long shot.

He also added the Power are hoping for a three-match ban.

“The Power could argue that the initial contact was not high contact, it was to the body of Izak Rankine, but I think it’s a really difficult case to make,” he added.

“They’re difficult cases to overturn or get thrown out. I think the best play is contrition and to get it to four matches.”

Rankine was left in a very bad state. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

5.45pm – Fev’s wild call over possible Houston ban

Former full forward Brendan Fevola has given his take on the type of ban Houston should face.

In a word, none.

Fevola, who was no stranger to controversy in his own footy career, spoke about the incident and possible penalty on radio show, The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick.

“Everyone’s saying 4-6 weeks,” Fev started. “Port Adelaide are second on the ladder and they’ve only got really three games left, if they win all their games to a grand final.

“So, if he gets suspended for this, he may miss a grand final.

“I don’t think he should get anything.”

The 43-year-old then elaborated on his reasoning.

Brendan Fevola and the Dan Houston hit. Photos: News Corp/Getty Images

“Now the reason I say this: we’re big on concussions and head (injuries) but, you know what, AFL footballers know that you may get concussed in a contact sport that has been played for over 150 years,” he continued.

“You go out there and you know you’re going to get hit, somewhere, sometime, in one of the games you’re going to play.

“He hit him fair and square. In all our rules of the game, if you elect to bump and you hit someone’s head – you’re done, you’re suspended, fair enough.

“But in the rule book, it doesn’t say you can’t hip and shoulder.

“If you hip and shoulder a player, hit him fair and square, don’t touch his head and his head hits the ground … well, that’s just s**t, that’s unlucky.

“He (Rankine) got knocked out when he hit the ground.”

5.35pm – Houston has arrived at AFL HQ

Dan Houston has arrived for his Tribunal date alongside some Port Adelaide officials, including media manager Daniel Norton.

The third-quarter incident sparked an all-in melee with Adelaide players furious with Houston, with a clearly distressed Rankine taken from the field on the mini ambulance.

Ken Hinkley is now sweating on the Tribunal ruling over the incident.