Gold Coast Sun Izak Rankine ready to show his class in his first Sir Doug Nicholls match

Gold Coast recruit Izak Rankine already a rising Sun

Izak Rankine celebrates a goal during the Gold Coast Suns' Round 10 game against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

GOLD Coast Sun Izak Rankine is still coming to grips with playing his first Sir Doug Nicholls game in Darwin.

The third pick in the 2018 National Draft, 20-year-old Rankine has averaged 12 touches a game in his debut season with the Suns.

His Round 6 AFL debut turned heads when he booted three goals against Melbourne and won a Rising Star nomination.

South Australian Rankine has family members in Darwin and is keen to make an impression against a Carlton side that beat Fremantle with an after-the-siren goal.

“I am really excited about playing in my first Sir Doug Nicholls Round game in Darwin, in fact I can’t wait,” he told the NT News.

“The Territory has produced lots of champion indigenous players, including Andrew McLeod and Cyril Rioli, who I watched growing up in Adelaide.

“I think it’s exciting to have our game and the Dreamtime game being played in Darwin this weekend.

“It’s a great place to celebrate past and current indigenous players.’’

The Suns’ young gun knows about the link between indigenous footballers and the elite AFL competition.

“I know that Territorians are passionate about their footy and that there is a strong indigenous community who love their AFL,’’ he said.

“Carlton are coming off a big win and we are playing some good footy, so I think both teams will put on a good show on a Friday night in front of a big audience.

“Our club wants Territorians to get on board the Suns and we are confident people will like our brand of exciting, hard-running footy.”