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Rankine setback not worrying Suns coach

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew says no-one will remember the injury-marred start to Izak Rankine's AFL career in a few years' time.

Izak Rankine

South Australia's Izak Rankine has suffered another injury to delay his AFL debut for Gold Coast. (AAP)

The latest injury setback for Gold Coast draftee Izak Rankine is not a concern to Suns coach Stuart Dew.

Rankine, taken with pick No.3 in last year's AFL draft, is yet to feature for the Suns after injuring his hamstring during the pre-season.

Earlier this week the Suns announced the 19-year-old had suffered a setback in his recovery during training and is unlikely to feature before the mid-season bye.

Dew however says the slow start to Rankine's career is unlikely to be a talking point in a few years' time.

"When we're this close, six weeks, from the bye, it's just common sense. We'll just give it a little bit more (time)," Dew said.

"We're not panicking yet. In two, three, four, five years time we won't remember the first 10 or 12 games of this year and we'll build him the right way."

Rankine debuted in the SANFL as a 16-year-old and the South Australian was a prized recruit for the Suns at the draft.

He had been on track for a round one AFL debut but suffered the hamstring injury in the third quarter of the Suns' pre-season defeat against Sydney in Lismore.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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