Adelaide’s defence to reduce Izak Rankine’s impending ban and free him to play again this season based on “compelling circumstances” has been revealed, which includes the Crow being “triggered by a war of words” with Collingwood’s Dan Houston.

The AFL’s ruling on Rankine’s suspension for directing a homophobic slur to a Collingwood player last Saturday night has been held off at least another day while an investigation into the matter gets finalised.

A five-match ban would definitely end Rankine’s season, however a three-match ban would open the door for the Crows star to return in a potential grand final.

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Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph reports Rankine was set off by a comment from Houston during their back and forth. It’s alleged Houston referenced his bump on Rankine that left the Crow concussed while Houston was a member of Port Adelaide in last year’s Round 20 Showdown.

It would ultimately be Houston’s last game for the Power after he copped a season-ending five-match ban for the incident.

“Adelaide believes there are compelling, extenuating circumstances tonight in regards to why he should serve only a three-week ban,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

“Their submission is that he was triggered by a war of words with Dan Houston.

“The Adelaide version of events is that there was a claim made, whether it was, ‘bring the stretcher out’. Or something in regards to that that triggered him.

“I’m not condoning his language after that, I’m not suggesting it was an appropriate response for him to utter that homophobic taunt.

“But the Adelaide view is certainly that it was something that was instructive.”

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 17: Izak Rankine of the Crows is knocked out by a late hit from Dan Houston of the Power during the round 23 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval, on August 17, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 17: Izak Rankine of the Crows is knocked out by a late hit from Dan Houston of the Power during the round 23 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval, on August 17, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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Adelaide is also trying to get a discount on Rankine’s ban for his contrition`. The Age reported Rankine apologised to the Magpies player involved via a phone call on Sunday, after allegedly calling the player a “f****t”.

Houston is not believed to be the Collingwood player who Rankine made the inappropriate slur to.

It’s the latest case of a homophobic taunt on the footy field after Wil Powell (five weeks), Jeremy Finlayson (three weeks), Lance Collard (six weeks), Jack Graham (four weeks) and Riak Andrew (five weeks) have received bans across the VFL and AFL dating back to last April.

Another part of the Crows’ submission to the AFL was that they think a home and away suspension is “in no way equitable” to a finals suspension.

“In fact, a potential full finals suspension,” Ralph added.

“They believe the AFL would be well aware of the double standard of hiring Snoop Dogg to perform at a grand final despite his homophobic language, then suspending players for up to five weeks.

“I’m not sure if that is in the submission, but certainly that’s something they believe the AFL is aware of.”

Fox Footy commentator Corbin Middlemas thinks the Houston exchange shouldn’t be brought into the case

“I’m inclined to think let’s deal with the two issues separately, rather than make them one issue,” Middlemas said on Midweek Tackle.

“If (Rankine) does have an issue with the way Dan Houston addressed him on field, let’s talk about that. But I’m not sure that gives him an excuse to be able to use the language he has on this particular occasion.”

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Middlemas added that the AFL has “wedged themselves a bit in this” for taking a “punitive model” over an “educational model.

And he could understand if the AFL ultimately handed down a three-match ban given it will involve missing finals.

“For whatever it’s worth, I could understand if they gave him a three-match ban given two of them are finals and there’s a bit of weighting that goes on that,” Middlemas.

“But again this arbitrary nature of: ‘We’ll just make it up as we go’. The fact it’s stretched into a fourth day, just suggests the AFL, as they’ve done in the past, is happy to let it flap in the breeze and see what the reaction is.

“The only reason this could be taking so long is because of what is being reported tonight. That basically there is more negotiation happening there, which probably suggests it’s not as open and shut as you’d expect it to be.”

Ralph said Adelaide is “really hopeful” the delay of the call means the AFL is taking its defence “seriously”.

“I think the Adelaide view is that Jeremy Finlayson one is three weeks. So if you strike someone 16 months ago and strike someone today, you get three weeks. So why is it this escalating, snowballing type model?,” Ralph added.

“It’s a really complicated picture for the AFL. If it was three weeks from Round 1 last year, we’d all say that’s OK.

“If this is three weeks right now, everyone will say the AFL has gone soft on homophobic language. It’s a very tough situation.”