Adelaide Crows using the Snoop Dogg defence to lessen Izak Rankine AFL ban
Rankine, who is facing a suspension of three to five games for calling a Collingwood player a 'f.....', is still facing an anxious wait over his fate with the AFL saying on Wednesday afternoon the club had asked for more time and a decision is now expected on Thursday.
The AFL has been heavy-handed in banning players who have made homophobic slurs on the field, but the Crows say this approach is at odds with paying vast amounts of money to a US rap icon - who has used the very same phrase Rankine allegedly used in his songs - to be the headline act at the grand final The Herald Sun reports.
In his 1998 hit Doggz Gonna Get Ya, Snoop Dogg's lyrics include the vile phrase and his early work is infamous for being offensive and misogynist.
Whether the AFL will take this argument seriously is unknown but the Crows are working furiously behind the scenes to ensure Rankine is not wiped out for the rest of the season.
A three-match ban would see him return for at least one finals game with the Crows guaranteed a top-two finish.
'The AFL advises that the Adelaide Crows have requested additional time to respond to the AFL's proposed determinations regarding an alleged incident with player Izak Rankine,' an AFL spokesman said.
'The AFL has granted this request and will provide an update on the matter tomorrow.'
More to come...
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
AFL's monumental Izak Rankine blunder laid bare as the league fails everyone
COMMENT The AFL has dug itself into a massive hole with its comical handling of the Izak Rankine case. Adelaide forward Rankine is facing a season-ending ban for a homophobic slur aimed at a Collingwood player last Saturday night. The 25-year-old allegedly called his opponent a f****t, with the incident coming just weeks after West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four matches for calling a GWS player a 'f***ing f****t'. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Last month Sydney defender Riak Andrew was also slapped with a five-match suspension after being found guilty of using an anti-gay slur. In the aftermath of the Rankine incident, the AFL launched an investigation into the on-field comment, and as of Thursday morning, they are still deliberating on what ban should be handed down. has contacted the AFL for comment over the incident and the major delay in the suspension being handed down. It marks the game's biggest stress test, seeing if the AFL stay firm in their stance against homophobia, even when the repercussions for Rankine could not be larger - ruling out one of the game's biggest stars for the AFL finals series. A four-game ban would rub Rankine out for the rest of the season if the ladder-leading Crows win both a qualifying and preliminary final to reach the decider, while a five-match ban would definitively end his season. However, the fact that seems to be overlooked by many is that it is a black and white situation, he has either done it or he hasn't. There is a precedent already set by the AFL that if you say a slur, you cop a ban and a hefty one at that, no ifs or buts. Apparently, that is the case until there are potential finals implications. The reality is Rankine is only the latest of a growing number of AFL players and coaches sanctioned for anti-gay language. When an almost certain ban is handed down, he will be the sixth AFL player suspended for a homophobic remark aimed at an opponent in the past 16 months alone, underlining a major problem in the sport. And in the wake of such an incident, the AFL, which needs to portray strength, unity and a zero tolerance for such language, has let the saga dominate the headlines for almost a week and looked increasingly weak. If a five-game ban had been handed down on Monday, to which the Crows could appeal, would have created some uproar but ultimately would have swiftly dealt with the situation and in doing so shown the game's strength and zero tolerance towards such behaviour. Instead, they have twiddled their thumbs, ummed and ahhed, and now it is a full-blown drawn out saga, with more twists and turns than an AFL game itself. Now five days on from when the incident came to light, instead of the news cycle focusing on the final week of the regular season, it is still on Rankine, and now whatever the ban is handed down won't appease anyone and will damage the AFL's reputation. And if he is given a ban of less than five games, well, that will show the league is weak when faced with actually imposing a meaningful sanction. But the underlying truth of the whole ordeal is that the AFL's failings in dealing with the Rankine saga extend far beyond the arbitrary ban. It has far more to do with the hidden message it is sending by letting it drag on. Homophobia is a real problem in our game, and it is something that needs to be rubbed out for good. Long gone are the years of claiming you 'didn't realise' the impact such slurs can have on people, especially in sports that for decades have been accused of marginalising gay players. The weakness of the AFL has been on full display all week, with their decision reeking of uncertainty and an underlying sense that a Grand Final could well outweigh a punishment for homophobia. And now, as the Rankine saga continues on Thursday, the AFL world is totally fed up and rightly so. 'It's mind-boggling the Izak Rankine Adelaid investigation is headed to a 5th day,' sports presenter Stephen Quartermain wrote on X. 'It's now taken longer for the AFL to sanction Rankine than it took The Conclave to elect a new Pope. How is that possible?' broadcaster Matthew Campbell added. While ex-premiership player Will Schofield said: 'Rankine's situation a complete joke. AFL have precedent here - if he's done it, it's a clear-cut penalty (not that I agree with it, but that's how it is.) Adelaide wants their best player to play finals - no s***… but bad luck?!' AFL's previous bans for slurs Jeremy Finlayson (April, 2024) – three game suspension Wil Powell (May, 2024) – five game suspension Lance Collard (July, 2024) – six game suspension Jack Graham (July, 2025) – four game suspension Riak Andrew (July, 2025) – five-game suspension The AFL has made a point of compounding the penalty each time an offence occurs. However, the AFL has since gone back on its word, stating that at the end of last season, they will consider 'specific circumstances in each incident in determining appropriate responses and does not consider that it is bound by the level of sanctions that it has previously imposed for similar incidents.' But in saying that, the most recent ban this year for a slur was five matches, so any less than five for Rankine is simply unacceptable.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Desperate' Crows questioned for ‘arguing at every turn' as slur saga stalls
The Adelaide Crows have come under scrutiny for 'arguing the toss at every turn' with regards to the ongoing investigation into the alleged homophobic slur delivered by Izak Rankine to a Collingwood player. The Crows are bracing for Rankine to be dealt a season-ending suspension from the AFL, but despite expectations a decision would be made on Tuesday — as all parties involved have been spoken to — the league will continue to mull the situation until at least Thursday before determining a sanction. Watch every game until the 2025 AFL Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Adelaide was granted 'additional time to respond to the AFL's proposed determinations', per an AFL statement on Wednesday afternoon. The alleged incident occurred on Saturday night, before relevant interviews took place and submissions made on Monday. The league is thought to be hunting a five-match ban for Rankine — which would end his season — with the Crows now in the process of readying their response. Respected commentator and AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley called the drawn-out process 'convoluted' on Wednesday night, with the saga about to enter its fourth day. 'That is an intolerably convoluted process, and it risks the AFL looking indecisive — perhaps behind the scenes they haven't been at all, but that's how it looks from the outside,' Whateley began on Fox Footy. 'It does make me wonder why Andrew Dillon and his legal team didn't go to Adelaide on Tuesday, sit in the board room and stay until matters were resolved. 'I think on a public front ... this is going to run all the way until game day of Round 24 — it's a nasty story. It's got an unsavoury edge, and some of the debate around it is it's damaging to the code.' Whateley expressed his belief that the Crows aren't acting 'in a contrite manner' as they continue to try for the most lenient possible suspension. 'My focus, really, is on Adelaide, who seem desperate to fight every angle of this,' he said. 'It's not a picture of accepting responsibility and acting in a contrite manner. And they are arguing the toss at every turn, formally and informally — (making the argument) finals games should be worth more than home-and-away games, even though there's no precedent in the system for that. 'They have gone with Rankine was provoked, which is a big stretch, I think — he was antagonised, but provoked is a big stretch. 'Informally, they've even raised Snoop Dogg. That's the domain of talkback radio, not a responsible footy club.' Whateley said there were 'three possibilities' that could have eventuated. 'Front up to what happened, pledge to address whatever it is in the environment that allowed this to happen, and accept what's coming,' he said. Former Demons captain Garry Lyon took a slightly different route to Whateley, suggesting the Crows were within their rights to 'fight and fight hard' to get Rankine off the hook — provided they also fall on their sword and accept the forthcoming penalty when the time comes. 'It's incumbent from a supporter's point of view to do the best job they possibly can to see if they can get Izak back playing,' Lyon said on AFL 360. 'Now, as unsavoury as that may sound, and as you've pointed it out, it smacks of them not wanting to take responsibility, I think they are entitled to argue their case as vociferously and as strongly as they possibly can, given the stakes that are at play — so long as they are accepting of the final verdict and it doesn't go too far. 'As a football club that's sitting on top of the ladder and are premiership favourites, there is a way to deal with it. And as I said, I don't begrudge them the right to fight and fight hard — even if that means getting in the trenches a bit — but there comes a time where you do need to show some humility and be accepting of the penalty, and that'll come.'
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Flag coaches back Crows' bid in Rankine's absence
Two AFL premiership coaches are adamant Adelaide can still win the flag if star Izak Rankine is suspended for the rest of the season over his homophobic slur. And the pair are convinced Matthew Nicks and his players would hold the same belief internally. Rankine is set to become the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for making a homophobic slur to an opponent over the past two seasons. The convoluted process to determine the length of Rankine's ban will stretch into a fifth day, after the AFL granted the Crows' request for additional time to respond to the league's proposed sanction. An AFL spokesperson said the league will provide an update on Thursday. At the centre of the AFL proposal is a five-match suspension, which would sideline Rankine for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old is regarded as being among the league's most talented players and has until now shaped as a key cog in the ladder-leading Crows' premiership assault. If Rankine is ruled out for the finals, it would be a huge blow to Nicks's chances of steering Adelaide to their first premiership since 1998. John Longmire and Adam Simpson both faced losing key players before finals campaigns, at Sydney and West Coast respectively, and insisted such obstacles can be overcome. Simpson successfully guided the Eagles to the 2018 title despite losing Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard (both to injuries) and Andrew Gaff (suspension) late in the season. Simpson said Nicks and the Crows would be focused on their last home-and-away match against North Melbourne, at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. But he added losing Rankine would not shake Adelaide's belief in their premiership credentials. "They know there's particular talented players that are very important but no one wouldn't believe they can still win it without him," Simpson told Fox Footy on Wednesday night. "It's not a difficult message to send (as a coach): someone gets another opportunity, we keep moving forward. "Rankine's going to be the one they're worried about the most. I think the players are going to be fine, I reckon Adelaide are going to be fine. "As much as on paper they're not as strong, I don't think they're thinking like that." Simpson, who said Adelaide could "absolutely" win the flag without Rankine, urged Nicks to remain calm as he attempts to navigate a difficult situation. Earlier on Wednesday, Nicks admitted the intense spotlight on Rankine and his team had been a distraction. "But no, we're locked in on what we're doing this weekend," Nicks said. "We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here. "But we'll work our way through it." Adelaide had lobbied for a three-match ban, which would have given Rankine a chance of playing later in the finals. The Crows will host two finals after their North Melbourne fixture, as they return to the major round for the first time since 2017. Last month, West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player. In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson banned for three games and, the next month, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for directing homophobic slurs are opponents. Two VFL players have also recently been banned for homophobic slurs. Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown. Two AFL premiership coaches are adamant Adelaide can still win the flag if star Izak Rankine is suspended for the rest of the season over his homophobic slur. And the pair are convinced Matthew Nicks and his players would hold the same belief internally. Rankine is set to become the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for making a homophobic slur to an opponent over the past two seasons. The convoluted process to determine the length of Rankine's ban will stretch into a fifth day, after the AFL granted the Crows' request for additional time to respond to the league's proposed sanction. An AFL spokesperson said the league will provide an update on Thursday. At the centre of the AFL proposal is a five-match suspension, which would sideline Rankine for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old is regarded as being among the league's most talented players and has until now shaped as a key cog in the ladder-leading Crows' premiership assault. If Rankine is ruled out for the finals, it would be a huge blow to Nicks's chances of steering Adelaide to their first premiership since 1998. John Longmire and Adam Simpson both faced losing key players before finals campaigns, at Sydney and West Coast respectively, and insisted such obstacles can be overcome. Simpson successfully guided the Eagles to the 2018 title despite losing Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard (both to injuries) and Andrew Gaff (suspension) late in the season. Simpson said Nicks and the Crows would be focused on their last home-and-away match against North Melbourne, at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. But he added losing Rankine would not shake Adelaide's belief in their premiership credentials. "They know there's particular talented players that are very important but no one wouldn't believe they can still win it without him," Simpson told Fox Footy on Wednesday night. "It's not a difficult message to send (as a coach): someone gets another opportunity, we keep moving forward. "Rankine's going to be the one they're worried about the most. I think the players are going to be fine, I reckon Adelaide are going to be fine. "As much as on paper they're not as strong, I don't think they're thinking like that." Simpson, who said Adelaide could "absolutely" win the flag without Rankine, urged Nicks to remain calm as he attempts to navigate a difficult situation. Earlier on Wednesday, Nicks admitted the intense spotlight on Rankine and his team had been a distraction. "But no, we're locked in on what we're doing this weekend," Nicks said. "We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here. "But we'll work our way through it." Adelaide had lobbied for a three-match ban, which would have given Rankine a chance of playing later in the finals. The Crows will host two finals after their North Melbourne fixture, as they return to the major round for the first time since 2017. Last month, West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player. In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson banned for three games and, the next month, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for directing homophobic slurs are opponents. Two VFL players have also recently been banned for homophobic slurs. Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown. Two AFL premiership coaches are adamant Adelaide can still win the flag if star Izak Rankine is suspended for the rest of the season over his homophobic slur. And the pair are convinced Matthew Nicks and his players would hold the same belief internally. Rankine is set to become the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for making a homophobic slur to an opponent over the past two seasons. The convoluted process to determine the length of Rankine's ban will stretch into a fifth day, after the AFL granted the Crows' request for additional time to respond to the league's proposed sanction. An AFL spokesperson said the league will provide an update on Thursday. At the centre of the AFL proposal is a five-match suspension, which would sideline Rankine for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old is regarded as being among the league's most talented players and has until now shaped as a key cog in the ladder-leading Crows' premiership assault. If Rankine is ruled out for the finals, it would be a huge blow to Nicks's chances of steering Adelaide to their first premiership since 1998. John Longmire and Adam Simpson both faced losing key players before finals campaigns, at Sydney and West Coast respectively, and insisted such obstacles can be overcome. Simpson successfully guided the Eagles to the 2018 title despite losing Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard (both to injuries) and Andrew Gaff (suspension) late in the season. Simpson said Nicks and the Crows would be focused on their last home-and-away match against North Melbourne, at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. But he added losing Rankine would not shake Adelaide's belief in their premiership credentials. "They know there's particular talented players that are very important but no one wouldn't believe they can still win it without him," Simpson told Fox Footy on Wednesday night. "It's not a difficult message to send (as a coach): someone gets another opportunity, we keep moving forward. "Rankine's going to be the one they're worried about the most. I think the players are going to be fine, I reckon Adelaide are going to be fine. "As much as on paper they're not as strong, I don't think they're thinking like that." Simpson, who said Adelaide could "absolutely" win the flag without Rankine, urged Nicks to remain calm as he attempts to navigate a difficult situation. Earlier on Wednesday, Nicks admitted the intense spotlight on Rankine and his team had been a distraction. "But no, we're locked in on what we're doing this weekend," Nicks said. "We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here. "But we'll work our way through it." Adelaide had lobbied for a three-match ban, which would have given Rankine a chance of playing later in the finals. The Crows will host two finals after their North Melbourne fixture, as they return to the major round for the first time since 2017. Last month, West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player. In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson banned for three games and, the next month, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for directing homophobic slurs are opponents. Two VFL players have also recently been banned for homophobic slurs. Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown.
