“Figured out the reason he’s not part of the leadership group”: Adelaide Crows’ star Rankine criticized for defensive performance.

“Figured out the reason he’s not part of the leadership group”: Adelaide Crows’ star Rankine criticized for defensive performance.

The spotlight has been cast on Crow Izak Rankine for his defensive performance in Friday night’s loss to Essendon.

Footage aired on Fox Footy’s The First Crack displayed Rankine’s presence at a center bounce during the game, where he failed to track and hand over his direct opponent, Darcy Parish, as Essendon advanced forward. This resulted in Parish finding space to receive a short pass near the top of the goal square, drawing criticism from Kangaroos legend David King.

King, analyzing the moment, pointed out Rankine’s failure to fulfill his defensive duties, emphasizing the importance of team responsibility, particularly in center bounces. He highlighted Rankine’s tendency to prioritize his own movements over team strategy, which, he suggested, might be a reason why Rankine is not part of the leadership group.

The narrow loss to Essendon marked Adelaide’s fifth defeat of the season, leaving them with a 1-5 record and raising questions about the team’s performance despite preseason expectations.

King suggested that Rankine’s individualistic approach mirrors the current state of the team, emphasizing the need for a shift towards prioritizing team goals over personal achievements. He indicated that addressing these issues would be crucial for the team’s improvement, likely to be discussed in post-match meetings.

Adelaide will aim to turn their season around in their upcoming match against winless North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.