‘Targeted attack’: Crows veteran slams Port for putting extra ‘heat’ into concussed star teammate

Adelaide Crows star Taylor Walker has revealed he thought teammate Izak Rankine was subject to a “targeted attack” in the Showdown by Port Adelaide players on the weekend.

Rankine was concussed by Port Adelaide star Dan Houston in a massive bump and Houston is set to face the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday evening.

Rankine will not feature again in 2024 after entering the AFL’s concussion protocols.

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“I think there’s been comments that it looked like it was a targeted attack on the weekend,” Walker told AFL 360.

“I don’t think teams necessarily target people as such. You’re always going to try and limit the good opposition players, but I suppose the vision there shows that has certainly put a little bit more heat in Izak than you usually would.

“It’s because he’s an absolute star of our game. We just want Izak to get back and be healthy, because he’s a super, super player and an even better person.

Walker said the post-match interaction between coaches Ken Hinkley and Matthew Nicks “didn’t look too friendly”, with many speculating whether their heated discussion was about the Houston-Rankine incident.

“Yeah, it seemed that way, I haven’t gotten to Nicksy to see what was spoken about but it didn’t look too friendly,” Walker said.

Showdown’s always have plenty of spice, but Walker said the recent rendition was one of the “most volatile” games he’s been a part of.

“It’s probably the most volatile game I’ve been a part of without playing,” he said.

“It was absolutely packed, there was 52,000 people there. It created a great spectacle for everyone watching and being at the ground was even better. It was probably the closest to a final that we’ll get. It was unbelievable.”

The Crows take on ladder-leaders Sydney in their final game of the season on Saturday, while Port Adelaide will look to secure a home final when they head to Perth to take on Fremantle on Sunday.