Izak Rankine reaches out to Rainbow Crows in wake of ban from homophobic slur

Adelaide forward Izak Rankine has extended an olive branch to the LGBTQIA+ community in the wake of the homophobic slur that saw him suspended for four AFL games.

Rankine missed the last game of the home and away season, as well as both of the Crows’ losing finals, and will not return until Round 2 next year as part of the ban he received for directing a homophobic slur towards Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor in August.

His omission was a major blow for the Crows, who became the first minor premiers in the AFL era to be eliminated from finals in straight sets.

With a storm of media and attention following him in the wake of the slur, Rankine fled the country for an overseas training camp on the slim glimmer of hope for a possible grand final berth, were Adelaide to lose their first final but win the next two.

On return, he issued a public apology for his actions before later addressing the Crows’ AFLW squad, which boasts several members of the queer community.

Now, Rankine has reached out to Adelaide’s official LGBTIQA+ supporter group, the Rainbow Crows, who shared a photo of their founder with the livewire forward.

“As part of AFLW pride round, we want to share some positive actions that have happened lately and others upcoming,” the Rainbow Crows wrote.

“Izak Rankine reached out to our founder, Brett, and they caught up for a yarn last week.

“They had an open and honest conversation about the past couple of months and its impacts.

“Izak expressed his remorse for his actions and desire to build a connection with Rainbow Crows, and assist in making positive changes in the club and our game.

“We thank Izak for the yarn, wish him a nice break, great upcoming season, and look forward to building a connection.”

Speaking at the launch of the AFLW’s pride round, Carlton star Darcy Vescio said the men’s game could do more to support LGBTQIA+ community and that AFLW players could help AFL players understand more about it.

“The moment we saw (former West Coast player) Mitch Brown come out (as bisexual) showed that we are moving forward,” said Vescio, who also designed this year’s pride round ball.

“But we’ve also seen some backlash and the way different clubs have either embraced that story or just let it slide by.

“Having someone like Mitch Brown feel comfortable sharing his full identity hopefully will encourage others to do the same and show men that they can be allies and proud allies, and that’s not something they need to shy away from.”

Brown will visit the Western Bulldogs’ AFLW program on Thursday ahead of the club’s blockbuster pride round clash with Essendon at the Whitten Oval on Friday night.

Bulldogs defender Isabella Grant hailed Brown’s announcement as inspiring.

“For him to feel safe is a bit of a reflection on society,” Grant said.

“Hopefully he inspires young people to feel the same.

“Even older generations who grew up identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, it was not safe at all.

“Not just metaphorically, but physically it was unsafe.

“To know that we’ve gotten to that place where we are now is pretty special and it’s very inspiring.”

- With AAP