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News.com.au
an hour 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
4 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.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Young West Aussie umpire following her dream to make the AFL
Talented football umpire Lilly Spocter,16, wins coveted AS McLean Medal for best performing umpire. Lilly Spocter is clear-minded about where she wants to go with her umpiring. The 16-year-old, recently judged the most outstanding umpire at the School Sport National Championships in Queensland, would 'like to go as far as I can.' 'AFL would be the dream but, yeah, taking it as it comes,' she said. PerthNow caught up with the emerging talent at half-time of the Year 11-12 game between Quinns Bulls and Warwick Greenwood Knights in the West Perth football district on Sunday. Lilly Spocter prepares to throw the ball up. Credit: Justin Bianchini Lilly's 'pretty good' at handling the on-field responsibility – 'I've done it for a long time now' – and finds umpiring the seniors 'pretty chill' but 'hard at the same time.' 'I just take it as it comes to be honest,' she said. 'I don't try to overthink anything. 'And just before the game you get in the mode that you're about to umpire, and other than that, you're just in the game.' The Wanneroo Secondary College student is part of the AFL and WA Football-led National Women's Umpire Development Program. She trains twice a week and is mentored by the WA Football Commission's umpiring clubs specialist and AFLW umpire Courtney Gibson. Lilly Spocter talks to players at three quarter-time. Credit: Justin Bainchini She's also following in the footsteps of her favourite AFL umpire, former fellow West Perth district umpire Dan Johanson. She also likes AFL umpire Brett Rosebury and former ump 'Razor' Ray Chamberlain Receiving the AS McLean Medal for the best umpire at the 15s national champs in Queensland was a thrill. 'When they announced my name, I was in complete shock, stood up, accepted the medal,' she said. 'I was sitting with all the umpires and the WA State girls and the boys were behind us. It was a pretty big cheer.' She started umpiring several years ago when she saw an advertisement for it on the Facebook page of the club she played with, Wanneroo. 'I was like 'I like to run, I love the game of footy, so I'll give it a go',' she said before speaking about why she's so decisive as a referee. 'I think because I've just read the rule book and read the rules, watched so many games of footy, played it growing up,' she said. 'And the more games that you umpire, the more confident you get in your calls.' Lilly Spocter in command. Credit: Justin Bianchini A favourite part of umpiring is 'making new friends and umpiring with people you've also never umpired with before'. She's working on her ball-ups and practises the centre bounce for when it will be required in her officiating later. Her mum Robyn described her daughter, who has also coached Little Athletics, as self-motivated. 'I think she just wants to be better,' she said. 'She just loves it (umpiring), lives and breathes it.' The Bulls-Knights clash ends with a feisty last quarter. How did she think she went? 'Pretty good. It was a bit heated at the end, but it was a good game. So it was fun.' Her advice to players on the field when there is a fight? Lilly Spocter in action in Queensland. Credit: WinkiPoP Media / WinkiPoP Media 'Just to separate, and just relax, especially if it was their free kick already, not to give it away so that they can keep the ball, not turn it over,' she said. Abuse from the boundary? 'Honestly, I've learnt to just block it out, like I don't care. Or obviously you hear it, but I think the trick is to not take it in, and you know that you're right, and you just pay what you see, and that's all you can do.' And how did she learn to read the play so well? 'Just by coaching. Yeah, a bunch of different coaches at West Perth. And then once I started in the PFL, that's where they really emphasise to read the play and then get on to the ball quicker.' Upon leaving school she wants to run her umpiring alongside a career as a nurse, following her aunty and grandmother into nursing. She has already started a Certificate IV in nursing at TAFE and says 'helping people' and the 'cool' nature of the job attracts her to the profession. And anything else she wanted to tell the world about umpiring? 'Just to give it a go, right?' she said. 'It doesn't matter if you make the wrong call. 'You just trust yourself. And if you read the rules and you know what you're talking about, then that's all that matters.'
