Izak Rankine’s apology will help Adelaide Crows focus on AFL final against Collingwood, says Kane Cornes
Izak Rankine’s decision to “finally address the issue” and make a public apology for making a homophobic slur was the right call and any distraction his return to the Crows will cause will not stop them beating Collingwood in tomorrow night’s blockbuster qualifying final, Channel Seven analyst Kane Cornes says.
Rankine spoke for the first time since he was handed a four-game suspension for the bigoted comment against the Magpies in round 23 when the 25-year-old fronted the media at Adelaide Airport on Tuesday night after returning from a trip to Italy in the wake of the controversy as the Crows prepare for their first finals appearance since 2017.
Port Adelaide premiership player Cornes said the public comments were a step in the right direction but something he should’ve done earlier.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I haven’t read too much into it. I’m glad he did what he probably should’ve done before he left but as I said I haven’t read the statement in full but it was good of him to finally address the issue that I thought he probably should’ve done before he left,” he said.
Rankine’s apology appeared heartfelt as he loked on the verge of tears on Tuesday night.
“I want to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for what I said, there was no excuse, it was wrong and I take full responsibility,” Rankine said. “I want to apologise for anyone I’ve hurt and offended,” he said.
“I understand that word is offensive, harmful, it’s hurtful and has no place in our game or society. I am in no way a victim but going away has given me the space to reflect and educate myself to understand the weight of my mistake.”
Cornes said he was unsure of the impact the statement would have on the Crows ahead of the big final with Rankine to now front his teammates.
“It’s probably a bit of a weight off their shoulders for him to have done that,” he said.
“I’m sure the players haven’t been thinking too much of it, they’ve been preparing for a pretty important final, so I am not sure how it would affect them.
“It’s hard to speak unless you’re one of the player preparing for a pretty big game.”
Adelaide head into the final as $1.60 favourites after finishing the season as minor premiers and Cornes said they should get the job done in front of a parochial crowd at the Adelaide Oval.
“Adelaide are in better form, so when it comes to these types of games you look at the form line from it,” he said.
“Their record is so strong right throughout the year whereas Collingwood have won five of their last 10.
“It would be hard to tip against Adelaide considering that form line and playing in front of the home crowd which is pretty intimidating I would think. And Collingwood have got a few issues with the way they’ve gone about it, so I think Adelaide are in a good spot.”
Collingwood are set to take a gamble at the selection table and recall 211cm American Mason Cox for only his ninth game of the season and first since round 19 for the clash.
Cornes said it was not a move he would make headed into the game.
“I would have thought they probably would’ve gone past Mason Cox but clearly they’re looking for that target down the line and that get out kick,” he said.
“Where they can kick to contest and get the numbers there. I don’t think it’s necessarily about what Mason will do it’s more a structural thing that they may be thinking.
“The beauty also is he can do some second ruck work as well which is why they’ve given him the nod at selection.”
Meanwhile, Cornes has backed Fremantle to cause some headaches in their return to September, but doesn’t expect them to be in the premiership conversation.
The Dockers will host Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday night in the cut-throat elimination final, with the winner to take on the loser of Friday night’s clash between Geelong and reigning premiers Brisbane.
“Fremantle should be confident. They’ve had a really strong year and you don’t win 16 games in a home-and-away season if you’re not a quality side,” he said.
“They really don’t have a weakness as far as I see. Their back six is rock solid, their midfield is as good as any and then I think the three forwards (Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Pat Voss) are finally gelling together and we saw that against the Western Bulldogs.
“They’re in good shape to not only win this game but to also cause some headaches a little bit deeper into finals.”
