‘Stuck at it’: Izak Rankine backs midfield shift for Crows while unveiling Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey

Izak Rankine has spoken about his switch to the midfield and how he’s grown as a leader for the Crows as his side unveiled their Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 13: Izak Rankine of the Crows and Jase Burgoyne of the Power pose in their Indigenous guernseys during the 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Launch at Central Districts Football Club on May 13, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Adelaide star Izak Rankine says he feels that he is in career best form, saying it is about time he starts needing to play consistently and step up on the field.

Rankine kicked three goals in the Crows thrilling draw with Brisbane on Sunday.

It continues a red-hot start to the season for Rankine, who has kicked 19 goals and is averaging over 17 disposals a game.

This is career-best for Rankine, who said he felt that he was playing at the top of his game.

“I think I’ve put a few good games together now, I’m at the age where I need to start playing more consistently and be one of the leaders out there on the field,” Rankine said.

“I haven’t tried to change too much or reinvent the wheel, I’ve just stuck at it, kept working hard and continued to learn as much as I can from the leaders.

“Going into the midfield has been a good move for me, I feel a lot more comfortable the more I’ve gone in there, and I’ve loved being up and around the footy more.”

Izak Rankine of the Crows and Jase Burgoyne of the Power pose in their Indigenous guernseys. Picture: Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

He will look to continue this strong start to the season against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

For Sir Doug Nicholls Round Adelaide will go by the name Kuwarna and will wear a guernsey designed by Rankine and his cousin Harley Hall.

Speaking at the Sir Doug Nicholls Round launch at Elizabeth Oval on Monday, Rankine said he was looking forward to wearing the guernsey in a match.

“I’m very proud (of the jumper), growing up I always wanted to buy the Indigenous guernsey and it is my favourite round of the year,” Rankine said.

“To have a hand in designing one, it is a dream come true and something that is very special to me and my family.

“I’m very happy with how it turned out, Harley (Hall) has done a great job with bringing the design to life, and everyone involved has done a terrific job to produce such a great product.”

Meanwhile Port Adelaide young gun Jase Burgoyne says he is hopeful of overcoming a minor groin strain to take on Hawthorn in the Power’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round home game.

Burgoyne did not feature in the Power’s massive win over Geelong on Friday night after failing to overcome the injury he sustained in the Showdown the previous week.

He said he was hopeful of returning for the AFL’s Indigenous Round, in which the Power will go by the name Yartapuulti, one of his favourite ones on the calendar.

“I have to get to training this week on Wednesday but I felt good running on Saturday,” he said.

“So I just need to test myself at training and if it all goes to plan then I should be back this week.

“Low grade groin strain, just pulled up sore from the Showdown and tried to get up but I just couldn’t.

“But it should only be a week.”

Jase Burgoyne and Sonny Morey during the 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Launch at Central Districts Football Club on Monday. Picture: Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Before he suffered the injury, Burgoyne was in the midst of a breakout spell for the Power – cementing his spot on the wing.

The 20-year-old said that plus it being Sir Doug Nicholls Round was frustrating.

“It is not great to miss any game, but especially Indigenous Round,” he said.

“To miss it would not be great for myself but we have good depth and if I am not out there someone can step up.

“I was starting to build some consistency in my game and get some confidence, so it was disappointing to go down with a minor injury.

“But we have people who can step up and hopefully when I am ready to go again I can build on those games.”

With Burgoyne out, the Power made five changes to its side that eventually held on against Geelong in a thriller.

One of the inclusions was his housemate Josh Sinn, for the fifth game of his career and first of 2024 after struggling with injury since coming to Alberton.

Burgoyne said he was looking forward to eventually playing with Sinn, but both were not competing for the same spot.

“Him and I have been living together for two years, he has been battling with injury over that time but now really good to see him get some consistency and play some AFL footy,” he said.

“Hopefully in time we will get that game together.

“We sort of switched positions, I was a halfback and he was a wing now I’m on the wing and he is halfback.”

The win against the Cats was the first time the Power had triumphed in Geelong since 2007.

Burgoyne said it was massive for the Power.

“Yeah an unreal win, to go down to Geelong where we haven’t won since 2007 … we can keep looking forward from here,” he said.

“It fills us with a lot of confidence … we can beat every team in the competition if we play well.”

Originally published as ‘Stuck at it’: Izak Rankine backs midfield shift for Crows while unveiling Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey