Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew has admitted he is unsure where star forward Izak Rankine will be playing his football from 2023.
It was originally reported by Chief Sports Reporter at SEN Sam Edmund that the 22-year-old was comfortable in Queensland and was close to recommitting to the club in the wake of buying a new house on the Gold Coast, however, a $4 million deal over five years from Adelaide has thrown a spanner in the works.
Taken with pick number 3 in the 2018 draft from West Adelaide, the return-home factor was always of concern for Stuart Dew and his men, and after 47 games and 55 goals, it may have eventuated sooner than previously hoped.
Speaking in the post-match press conference after the Suns' seven-point defeat at the hands of Hawthorn, Dew was pragmatic about the future of Rankine.
“He's obviously got a decision to make, like a lot of guys out of contract at this time of year. There's a big incentive for him to stay, there's also a big incentive for him to leave as well,” he said.
“What we're confident on is that Gold Coast is a great spot for Izak (Rankine( to play his footy and live his life, we’re really clear on that and he knows that.
“But again he's 22, he's going to have a decision to make, not unlike (Luke) Jackson at Melbourne and different players around the league so he's focused on finishing the year, and that's what's most important to all of us.
“Our job and the players' jobs are to be professional and finish the year off, but we still firmly believe that we are the best place for him to play his footy.”
Rankine received a similar offer from Essendon that was centred around his involvement in Dreamtime at the ‘G and The Long Walk, which he later rejected.
The Suns and Rankine face the red-hot Geelong at Metricon Stadium next round.
Stuart Dew and Izak Rankine are still having conversations concerning his future as the Crows have made a BIG offer. pic.twitter.com/NBuf9hDl2o
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 6, 2022
