Izak Rankine eligibility explained after Adelaide caught out and fans question ‘baffling’ Brownlow Medal detail

It was a minor detail in a Brownlow Medal count dominated by Matt Rowell and some of the AFL’s top midfielders.

But the lack of an ‘X’, indicating ineligible, next to Adelaide forward Izak Rankine’s name did not go unnoticed after his high-profile ban for a homophobic slur dominated headlines last month.

The 25-year-old copped four matches from the AFL and missed the Crows’ finals campaign after they lost in straight sets.

The controversy overshadowed what had been a strong season for Rankine, who received his first All Australian squad call-up before missing the final team.

His efforts were rewarded further on Brownlow night with an impressive 15 votes from just six games, polling the maximum on three occasions.

But each time his name was called fans questioned just why he was not ineligible for the Brownlow.

“Genuinely intrigued as to why Izak Rankine doesn’t have the red X next to his name at the Brownlow Medal,” one fan wrote.

“Why isn’t Rankine ineligible?!? Genuinely curious also baffled,” another said.

Many more aired similar views, and some believed it was a broadcast mistake — but Rankine was indeed eligible in spite of his ban.

Rule 21.2(c) of the AFL regulations notes “any player who has been found guilty of a reportable offence in a home-and-away match in which Brownlow Medal votes have been cast shall be ineligible to receive the Brownlow Medal in that season”.

Rankine, who did not attend Monday night’s count, was not found guilty of a reportable offence.

The slur was reported to the AFL by the Crows and investigated by the AFL integrity unit, and he was found guilty of breaching AFL Rule 2.3(a) (conduct unbecoming).

An extensive list of reportable offences features in the laws of the game, including the most common striking and rough conduct charges.

“Using abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene language” does feature — but, as mentioned above, Rankine was not found guilty of that reportable offence or even dealt with through the match review system.

It is a loophole of sorts that leaves open the door to an embarrassing situation for the AFL on Brownlow night, however unlikely it may be given the harsh penalties for such offences.

The quirk even went unnoticed by Adelaide.

In a Brownlow preview published on the club’s website, the Crows wrote that Rankine was expected to poll well “despite being ineligible for the Brownlow due to suspension”.

The 2025 count avoided any significant drama surrounding ineligible players.

GWS captain Toby Greene picked up the most with 14 votes, double the next best from North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri (seven votes).

Brisbane’s Zac Bailey nabbed six and Crows veteran Rory Laird picked up five among other players with just a handful.

The small haul of votes was in contrast to last year when Sydney’s ineligible star Isaac Heeney picked up 28 votes for equal fourth.

Geelong veteran Patrick Dangerfield holds the record for most votes by an ineligible player, having picked up 33 — when he finished second — in 2017.

Nat Fyfe, Steve Johnson and Sam Mitchell have also finished in the top three while ineligible, while Chris Grant famously missed out in 1997 after topping the count.