Latest news with #IzakRankine
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Almost half a million footy fans lose their minds as one of the AFL's brightest young stars reveals his surprising hidden talent
Footy fans have been losing their minds over Sam Lalor's music skills, with the Tigers ' No 1 draft pick taking to TikTok this week to showcase his incredible musical skills. It comes as the Tigers star might need surgery after re-injuring his left hamstring just moments into his return on Saturday against Geelong. The Tigers later issued a statement on Monday to confirm that his season was over. But prior to his side's clash against the Cats, the 18-year-old dropped a video of himself performing a cover of 'Madeline', by US singer Zach Bryan on social media. The youngster stunned, as he showcased his flawless vocals while playing an acoustic guitar. It is the first video the footy star has published on his Tik Tok channel, and garnered over 52,000 likes on the clip, while the clip has been played over 561,000 times. 'This is dope,' Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor commented, while others were left shocked by his hidden talent. 'Woah, Sam Lalor can sing,' wrote another TikTok user. 'Sam you're actually amazing,' another said. It comes after Adelaide star Izak Rankine had dazzled footy fans by showing off his vocals, belting out Maroon 5's 'She Will be Loved' during a live television performance ahead of Gather Round in April, and some fans demanded the Tiger's star and the Crows midfielder. One added: 'Just waiting on a Sam Lalor x Izak Rankine Collab.' Iconic social media duo Shepmates commented: 'What can't this man do.' Lalor has succumbed to a hamstring injury for the third time, previously injuring it before he was drafted last year and then in the May Dreamtime at the 'G match against Essendon. The Tigers were cautious, holding him back for a week, but he limped off GMHBA Stadium after tackling Tom Atkins early in the first quarter. Footy fans took to the comments to laud the young Richmond star on his incredible talent 'We are all devastated for the young man, and I am sure our fans are too,' Richmond high-performance manager Ben Serpell said. 'The injury mechanism here for Sam this time was very different to his original injury mechanism. 'He sustained the injury in a tackle. I think anyone who throws their body at the game as he did, and credit to him for doing that, is going to put their body at some risk irrespective of their injury history.' Given Lalor's terrible injury history, he might undergo surgery on the hamstring. 'We are a bit concerned about the integrity of the hamstring structure,' Serpell said. 'As part of that we will consult a few surgeons over the next little while to see if there is some surgical intervention available for us.' Elsewhere, Nik Cox's concussion history has also ended his AFL season while two other Bombers will need surgery, with injury-plagued Zach Reid's season cut short again due to last week's hamstring injury. Jye Caldwell suffered a syndesmosis injury in Saturday's loss to Gold Coast and will be out indefinitely as he goes under the knife. Sydney also received bad news on Monday, with forward Joel Amartey likely out for the rest of the season with a high-grade adductor strain, and Tom Papley sidelined for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury. Adelaide forward Josh Rachele has avoided ligament damage, but he will still need knee surgery after landing awkwardly in Sunday's win over Melbourne. The Crows are unsure when he will return. The AFL's concussion panel, which last month recommended West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern should retire on medical grounds, gave Cox hope he will resume his playing career. While Cox will not play this year due to his concussion problems, the panel gave him a pathway to make an AFL comeback after meeting him last month. Cox is, though, upbeat about his future after being told by the concussion panel he can resume his AFL career. 'While I'm disappointed that I won't return to the field for the remainder of the 2025 season, this time away from the game will be used to focus fully on my health, recovery, and building the strongest possible foundation heading into pre-season,' Cox said. 'I've learned a lot about myself over the past few months, and I'm more motivated than ever to get back to doing what I love. 'My focus now is on continuing to work closely with specialists and the club to make sure I'm in the best place physically and mentally to return to football.' The Swans, who beat Fremantle on Sunday, confirmed their injury news in a brief statement on Monday night, saying Amartey would be out for eight to 12 weeks. With seven home-and-away rounds left before the pre-finals bye, Amartey could be fit in time for the start of September, but it would take a remarkable run by Sydney to reach the play-offs.
The Guardian
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Izak Rankine is born to play to full houses as his talent ensures Adelaide stay on song
A fine singer, Izak Rankine plays his football like he's taking requests. Adelaide were nearly five goals down halfway through the second quarter against Melbourne. If they had lost, they would have coughed up third spot and been in the ruck of teams on 40 points including ninth-placed Fremantle. Rankine stepped up on stage, showcased his full suite of talents and tilted the game the Crows' way. Rankine got his five goals when Adelaide needed them most and he got them in so many different ways. He got them by floating through the middle, by ducking into space in the pocket, by getting front and square, by banana bending them from set shots and by sharking ruck contests. He nearly had a career-high sixth after a wonderful lunging spoil and a bit of jujitsu hustling forced a free kick. He has a remarkable ability to get down low and still move at high speed. But he's not just a lurker who kicks freak goals. He applies pressure and works hard at both ends of the ground. His field kicking and his ability to push up the ground and pinpoint a fellow forward are standouts. If he gets a clear run at it, he's capable of being one of the best players in the country. He is already one of the best to watch, one of the hardest to match up on and one of the most important to his team. He's a footballer born to play to full houses, and to ignite what was a pretty plain team prior to 2025. Rankine missed about two months of footy last year and the Crows missed him desperately. It was such a frustrating year for the club. They were beaten by a wretched Richmond and allowed Joel Amartey to put nine goals on them. This year they have their swagger back. Their backline and midfield are honest but it's the forward line that packs out Adelaide Oval. Six of them have kicked more than 20 goals this year. It's a mix of the gargantuan, the canny, the flashy, the freakish, the unobtrusive and the selfless. When one is quiet, another will step up. Against the Demons, it was Rankine's turn. Earlier in the day, Sydney kept their slim finals hopes alive by hanging on against Fremantle. The Dockers have excelled in close finishes recently, an area that cost them a finals spot last year. And with Shai Bolton springing to life, they looked as though they might run over the top of the Swans. But the home side had a bit too much class, and their stars were everywhere in the dying minutes. With a fairly soft draw and the faintest sniff of finals, they're exactly the sort of team you'd be keen to avoid in the next two months. GWS Giants, Brisbane and Geelong (at the SCG) wouldn't want to put a foot wrong against them on the run home. Sam Powell-Pepper and his wife Brya welcomed their third daughter earlier this week. The Port Adelaide forward was like a man possessed in the first half against Brisbane, powering out the front of stoppages and kicking two goals. Port were more than holding their own in a high standard affair. In the third term, he led and marked on the wing, played on immediately and his left buckled. It's the opposite knee to the one he injured just over 12 months ago. He was as angry and as devastated as you see a footballer in that circumstance. Powell-Pepper is one of those aggressive, high adrenalin, low possession, maximum impact footballers who gets the Power motoring and who coach Ken Hinkley adores. 'It gets a bit sadder for me because it's my last game of coaching Sam, and he's been such a great player for me,' Hinkley said. Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion Earlier, Geelong had a walk in the park against a bunch of kids from Richmond, one of whom, No 1 pick Sam Lalor, tore his hamstring in the opening few minutes. Apart from Nick Vlastuin ironing out Patrick Dangerfield, it felt as far removed from the years of their great rivalry as you could get. Just to drum home the genius of the AFL fixture, the two teams meet again next month. But for all the hype over the Tigers' draftees – and the ones still in the shed might be the best of the bunch – the Cats rolled out yet another bargain pick who slotted in seamlessly. George Stevens is a lantern-jawed ball magnet who was overlooked by every other club in the 2023 national draft. Maybe they were put off by the torn ACL, the lack of speed, and the fact he didn't go to one of the private school football factories. He did his year in the VFL, regularly amassing 25 or more touches. Like Tom Mitchell, he plays an uncomplicated game and gets a heap of the ball. He played his junior footy at South Warrnambool, home of Jonathan Brown, Hugh McCluggage and Wayne Schwass. These players are out there – in local leagues and on the fringes of the draft – and more often than not they're snapped up by Geelong.
News.com.au
06-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Significant concern' for key Crows forward Josh Rachele in comeback win
Adelaide have steadied their top four credentials with a fighting 13-point comeback victory against Melbourne on Sunday, although a potentially serious injury to Josh Rachele dampened their celebrations. The Crows were at one point down by 28 points at the halfway mark of the second term, but stormed home to kick truly after half time and win 13.12 (90) to the Demons' 11.11 (77). FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. It now means Melbourne have lost their last five matches and continue to flirt dangerously close with the bottom four. As for the Crows, it turns around their previously poor record against the Dees, having lost five of their last six match-ups before Round 17. Superstar Crow Izak Rankine kicked three of Adelaide's first four goals for the match, before going on to have a breakout third term that saw him register his second-ever five-goal haul at AFL level. He was aptly supported by veteran Taylor Walker, particularly in the first half, before Darcy Fogarty and Ben Keays rose to the occasion after the main break. For the Demons, stalwart Jake Melksham continued his stellar form to kick four more majors — having now kicked 9.7 in his last two matches. The hosts will be sweating on the short-term fitness of livewire Rachele, however, who went down with a suspected serious knee injury on the cusp of half time. The 22-year-old was subbed out not long after some quick boundary side testing. 'It's a significant concern for him, having had broken ribs earlier this season and now coming back and hyperextending the knee,' Fox Footy reporter David Zita said at half time. 'He didn't look to be in extraordinary pain which is a good sign at least early … eventually he got into a jog and came from the ground with the help of trainers. 'Obviously the ACL's what everyone gets scared of (but) hopefully he's avoided that.' Rachele landed awkwardly on his left leg late in the first half and coach Matthew Nicks gave little away when asked about his prognosis after the game. 'It's one that we're really mindful of not making any big statements around because we don't know,' Nicks said. 'We won't know until he has a scan, but it was enough of a concern that we had to sub him out. 'And without going into any more detail, it's going to be a scan and our fingers are crossed. 'I haven't seen him as yet, but I'd say he'd be pretty disappointed, as you can imagine. 'But we'll just hope for the best … we'll have positive thoughts.' After a first term filled with inaccurate kicking, the Demons went from registering 1.6 before quarter time to 5.1 in the second stanza to periodically blow Adelaide out of the proverbial water. Six minutes into the second quarter, the Demons had 33 disposals to the Crows' six, as Kysaiah Pickett came to life while the home side continued to kick it down the throats of Melbourne defenders going inside forward 50. And if it weren't for Rankine — who kicked three of his side's first four goals — and veteran star Walker, the margin would've been even greater. 'They (Adelaide) haven't been their usual selves with their ball use,' Mark Ricciuto said at half time. 'It's probably his best game for a long time,' 1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said of Rankine after his goal assist to Zac Taylor in the third term. Rankine surged again after half time to kick goals four and five, while All-Australian contender Ben Keays once again stepped up in the big moments to ensure the Crows' 11th win came this weekend. Rankine's bag of five has him become the sixth Adelaide player this season to kick more than 20 goals. Only Geelong have five players who have kicked over 20 goals or more this season. After the final siren, it still remained unclear as to the extent of Rachele's injury — with hopes it is a hyperextension and not a rupture or tear in one of his knee's ligaments. And in a moment that was initially just as concerning, former Crow Jake Lever left the field of play with a brave face — but with similar knee worries to Rachele.
Daily Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
AFL ‘Significant concern' for key Adelaide Crows forward Josh Rachele in comeback win over Melbourne Demons
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Adelaide have steadied their top four credentials with a fighting 13-point comeback victory against Melbourne on Sunday, although a potentially serious injury to Josh Rachele dampened their celebrations. The Crows were at one point down by 28 points at the halfway mark of the second term, but stormed home to kick truly after half time and win 13.12 (90) to the Demons' 11.11 (77). FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. It now means Melbourne have lost their last five matches and continue to flirt dangerously close with the bottom four. As for the Crows, it turns around their previously poor record against the Dees, having lost five of their last six match-ups before Round 17. Superstar Crow Izak Rankine kicked three of Adelaide's first four goals for the match, before going on to have a breakout third term that saw him register his second-ever five-goal haul at AFL level. Josh Rachele is held by a trainer after injuring his knee against the Demons. (Photo by) He was aptly supported by veteran Taylor Walker, particularly in the first half, before Darcy Fogarty and Ben Keays rose to the occasion after the main break. For the Demons, stalwart Jake Melksham continued his stellar form to kick four more majors — having now kicked 9.7 in his last two matches. The hosts will be sweating on the short-term fitness of livewire Rachele, however, who went down with a suspected serious knee injury on the cusp of half time. The 22-year-old was subbed out not long after some quick boundary side testing. 'It's a significant concern for him, having had broken ribs earlier this season and now coming back and hyperextending the knee,' Fox Footy reporter David Zita said at half time. Reilly O'Brien and Taylor Walker celebrate after the comeback victory. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images) 'He didn't look to be in extraordinary pain which is a good sign at least early … eventually he got into a jog and came from the ground with the help of trainers. 'Obviously the ACL's what everyone gets scared of (but) hopefully he's avoided that.' Rachele landed awkwardly on his left leg late in the first half and coach Matthew Nicks gave little away when asked about his prognosis after the game. 'It's one that we're really mindful of not making any big statements around because we don't know,' Nicks said. 'We won't know until he has a scan, but it was enough of a concern that we had to sub him out. Izak Rankine had another day out for the Crows. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Melbourne built a solid lead before the Crows came storming back. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images) 'And without going into any more detail, it's going to be a scan and our fingers are crossed. 'I haven't seen him as yet, but I'd say he'd be pretty disappointed, as you can imagine. 'But we'll just hope for the best … we'll have positive thoughts.' After a first term filled with inaccurate kicking, the Demons went from registering 1.6 before quarter time to 5.1 in the second stanza to periodically blow Adelaide out of the proverbial water. Six minutes into the second quarter, the Demons had 33 disposals to the Crows' six, as Kysaiah Pickett came to life while the home side continued to kick it down the throats of Melbourne defenders going inside forward 50. And if it weren't for Rankine — who kicked three of his side's first four goals — and veteran star Walker, the margin would've been even greater. 'They (Adelaide) haven't been their usual selves with their ball use,' Mark Ricciuto said at half time. 'It's probably his best game for a long time,' 1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said of Rankine after his goal assist to Zac Taylor in the third term. Rankine surged again after half time to kick goals four and five, while All-Australian contender Ben Keays once again stepped up in the big moments to ensure the Crows' 11th win came this weekend. Rankine's bag of five has him become the sixth Adelaide player this season to kick more than 20 goals. Only Geelong have five players who have kicked over 20 goals or more this season. After the final siren, it still remained unclear as to the extent of Rachele's injury — with hopes it is a hyperextension and not a rupture or tear in one of his knee's ligaments. And in a moment that was initially just as concerning, former Crow Jake Lever left the field of play with a brave face — but with similar knee worries to Rachele. Originally published as 'Significant concern' for key Crows forward Josh Rachele in comeback win
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Adelaide fear for young gun after win over Melbourne
Adelaide dynamo Izak Rankine has kicked five goals in a 13-point win over Melbourne soured by a serious knee injury to Crow Josh Rachele. The Crows recovered from a 28-point deficit midway through the second term to win 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77) at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. But Rachele suffered a potential season-ending injury, with Adelaide fearful the goalsneak damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Rachele will have scans after hyper-extending the knee when landing awkwardly in a marking contest against Jake Bowey late the second quarter. Josh Rachele has come from the ground following this contest.#AFLCrowsDees — AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2025 The blow to the Crow came as his club banked an 11th win of the season and returned to third spot on the ladder. But Adelaide were forced to dig deep against the plucky 14th-placed Demons (five wins, 11 losses). The hosts led by three points at quarter-time after Melbourne blew a series of goal chances, kicking 1.6 to the Crows' 2.3 in the term. But the Demons then produced a sizzling 10-minute burst in the second quarter which was rewarded with five consecutive goals. The last in the scoring stretch, from Kysiah Pickett after soaring high for a pack mark, gave the visitors a 28-point advantage 12 minutes into the quarter. Adelaide responded with three successive goals - two more from Rankine and Taylor Walker's second for the game. The strikes reduced Adelaide's deficit to five points at halftime when the visitors led 6.7 to 5.8. Melbourne's advantage disappeared just 40 seconds into the third quarter when Ben Keays dribbled a goal to put the Crows in front. They were never headed. Keays' goal was followed by another pair from the brilliant Rankine as the Crows logged five goals to two for a 15-point lead at the last break. Melbourne twice sneaked within nine points in the final quarter but couldn't edge closer. Rankine was superb and key forwards Walker and Darcy Fogarty scored two goals apiece. Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (25 disposals) and workhorse Keays (23 touches, two goals) were standouts, alongside midfielders James Peatling (25 possessions) and Jake Soligo (21). Melbourne ace Pickett's two goals came from 24 possessions, Jake Melksham was ever-threatening with four majors and Jacob van Rooyen kicked two. The Demons were also well served by winger Ed Langdon (25 disposals) and Steven May (12 marks), while former skipper Jack Viney gathered a match-high 30 disposals and laid nine tackles.
