Gold Coast small forward Izak Rankine has reportedly requested a trade to the Adelaide Crows, with the Suns alerted to the forward's choice as the club commenced their annual exit meetings.
According to the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph, Rankine is set to pursue a move back home to South Australia after the Crows offered the 22-year-old a bumper deal to make the switch to West Lakes.
As reported in early August by Ralph, the Suns believed that they had locked in Rankine's future at the club with everything agreed bar the length of the contract before Adelaide's contract offer turned his head.
Gold Coast confirmed that the South Australian had come to the choice to depart Carrara within a brief statement released on Tuesday morning.
“We have created a football club where our players and staff are committed to success, so we’re disappointed with his decision,” General Manager Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron said.
“We’ve provided an environment and support network around Izak since he was drafted to help him play his best football and it’s disappointing that journey won’t continue.”
The fledgling franchise also claimed that their next month would be spent securing the best possible package in exchange for Rankine's services.
Adelaide confirmed their knowledge of the unfolding situation, stating on Tuesday afternoon that the club would "work with the Suns to finalise a deal to secure Rankine when the AFL’s trade period opens on October 3."
The Crows have reportedly offered Rankine a long-term deal worth up to $850,000 a season and, despite warnings from Suns' teammates and officials about the offer, the youngster seems sure to seek a move.
The Suns will actively seek multiple high picks in return for Rankine from Adelaide, with the Crows currently holding picks 5 and 23 in this year's National Draft and future selections.
Rankine had a career-best season on the Gold Coast in 2022, bringing much more consistency to his game than what had been seen in his first two seasons.
The electric forward kicked 29 goals from 18 games, one more than his career tally in his previous two campaigns, and regularly put his elite skill set and goal sense on show as the club had the best season in their history.
