- Izak Rankine suffered a concussion at the hands of his star rival Dan Houston
- Port Adelaide player could face court trouble
Port Adelaide fans have been criticised online for booing Crows star Izak Rankine as he was carried off the field after suffering a concussion in a shocking hit during his side’s defeat on Saturday night.
Star Dan Houston could face a lengthy ban over the heavy blow that left Rankine lying on the turf in worrying scenes at Adelaide Oval.
Houston knocked down Rankine with his shirt during the third quarter of second-place Power’s important victory, 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58).
Crows striker Rankine was eventually helped to his feet and carried off the ground on a medical trolley, but was booed and jeered, leaving football fans furious.
“Fine. I honestly don’t understand how you can smile, sneer and mock when ANY player, regardless of team, is taken out like that. @PAFC is really showing their colours,” wrote one on X.
“The posh worms at Puerto Rico booed him,” added another fan.
“Rankine’s expulsion of Port fans says it all. Absolutely disgusting players and fans!” wrote another.
Other shots included, ‘All the Port fans celebrating this on the pitch’, ‘Port being Port… wild!’ and ‘Very classy from the dirt booing Rankine’.
Pictured: Dan Houston (right) knocks Izak Rankine out of the game with a devastating hit on Saturday night.
Crows star Rankine was booed by some Port fans as he was stretchered off the field with a concussion in his side’s defeat at Adelaide Oval (pictured)
Football fans have slammed the Power supporters’ “disgusting” behaviour
Pictured: Another post on X criticising some Power fans for their reaction to Rankine being seriously injured.
The high contact and damage inflicted on Rankine means Houston is likely to be referred straight to the tribunal when the match review officer’s findings are handed down on Sunday.
Not only does this put Houston’s participation in Port’s final campaign in serious doubt, it means he may never play for the Power again.
The 27-year-old, who is under contract until the end of 2027, is reportedly considering a move back home to Victoria.
“Once he calms down, there will be a moment,” Hinkley told reporters after the game.
‘He is a very fair player and an exceptional person.
“I’m sure anyone who has been involved in that kind of situation… knows what’s going on. They feel the consequences of what happened.
‘He’ll wait and see what’s handed to him and move on from there.
The Rankine hit sparked a huge brawl between Adelaide’s rivals (pictured)
“He’s a really, really good person. I can’t stress that enough. And I know people will sit there and say, ‘I don’t care if he’s a really, really good person.'”
“Yes, I care about him. He’s a fantastic guy.”
The Port players were immediately aware of the potential ramifications of the Houston-Rankine clash.
They showed their support for their teammate amid what Showdown medal winner Zak Butters described as a “chaotic” situation.
“My thoughts are with Izak. Obviously we don’t want any player to have to deal with that. I hope he does well,” Butters said.
“But Dan is a valuable member of the team. I love playing with him and if I were Dan or any of my other teammates, I would hug him and support him.
“I think we really made him feel pretty comfortable in a situation that was probably difficult for him.”
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks declined to comment on the incident itself, instead focusing his attention on Rankine.
“Her health and well-being is our priority right now,” Nicks said.
“He just wants to make sure he’s okay and he is. He’s up and walking around, but we’ll keep a close eye on him.”