Leading NRL commentator Andrew Voss has savaged the AFL’s reduced ban for Izak Rankine, in a key indication of how divisive the decision has been. The AFL announced on Thursday that Rankine has been banned for four games for a homophobic slur directed at an unnamed Collingwood player.
The suspension was reduced from five games after the Adelaide Crows made a “compelling medical submission” in Rankine’s defence. The Crows held concerns about how Rankine’s mental health would be affected if he was rubbed out for the remainder of the season, with no chance of playing again this year.
But the four-game ban means Rankine is a chance to play in the grand final if the Crows lose their qualifying final and then make the decider. Any other scenario means Rankine won’t play again until 2026.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks has broken his silence on Izak Rankine’s ban. Image: Getty
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall and commentator Gerard Whateley have been the most outspoken AFL figures to condemn the reduced ban. Whateley said: “This confected outcome hid behind ‘compelling medical submissions’. All those involved know they can avoid accountability by using such an oblique phrase.”
Dunstall said on Fox Footy: “I don’t know how compelling medical evidence gets you from five weeks down to four, and if we’re talking about mental health, by what metric, measurement scale, are we saying that equates to one week? I don’t understand, I’m confused. Can someone explain it to me?”
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Andrew Voss condemns AFL decision
The Crows insist they didn’t ‘play the mental health card’, but that claim hasn’t washed with Voss. Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, the NRL commentator was blown away that the AFL showed Rankine leniency.
“It is the worst playing of the mental health card I’ve ever come across in sport,” Voss said. “They gave him one less than what they were going to give him to keep a carrot dangled in front of him that he can play the grand final.
“He hasn’t lost his job. He’s still getting paid $20,000 a week. You’re not allowed to examine any of the medical evidence because now it slips into the mental health category, so there’s no transparency about what was presented. Unbelievable. AFL what are you doing?”
NRL commentator Andrew Voss has condemned the AFL’s decision. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Crows coach speaks out amid Izak Rankine suspension
It must be pointed out that only Rankine, the AFL and the Crows know the exact nature of the medical evidence submitted, and the mental health concerns only make up a portion of the situation. There’s likely to be other factors involved that won’t be made public.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks pulled things into perspective on Friday when he was quick to highlight that Rankine isn’t the victim. The Crows are doing everything to support Rankine during his layoff, but Nicks is realistic that he let the team down ahead of the finals.
“Izak has got some great support around him,” Nicks told reporters. “He has acknowledged where he went wrong and he’s worked his way through that in the right manner. He understands that we have got to be better in that space. But he’s not the victim in this. And by no means do we want that to be looked at that way – and he knows that.
“No one is making excuses. No one is arguing that there shouldn’t have been a penalty. We know we have to be better in that space. And we’re educated around that. Staff, players, everyone within the football club, is educated around why, what it is we’re trying to change in society. We didn’t get it right on this occasion. We will continue to educate.”
Nicks said the Crows understand the impact of Rankine’s slur on the LGBTQIA community. “I don’t know who those people are,” he said. “The only thing we can do as a footy club is get around all of our people and ask questions: how are you and how has it affected you? Again, we believe we’ve got a strong culture but we know we need to keep working on it.”
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with AAP