Is Izak Rankine a top 10 player? Kane Cornes names 22 ahead of him

Footy analyst David King made a bold call earlier this weekend when he suggested that Izak Rankine could become a “top two or three player in the comp”.

King spoke glowingly of the Adelaide gun in the wake of his 24-disposal, three-goal performance in the Crows’ draw with Brisbane last weekend.

Rankine, 24, is averaging 17.3 disposals, 3.8 inside 50s, 3.7 tackles, 3.3 clearances and 2.1 goals in 2024 - all career-best numbers - as he starts to enjoy more midfield time under Matthew Nicks.

“A TOP TWO OR THREE PLAYER”: KING’S HUGE RANKINE CALL AS MIDFIELD MINUTES INCREASE

However, King’s SEN Breakfast co-host Kane Cornes wanted to question the analysis of the former Gold Coast Sun, who he does like as a player, but feels the ranking of Rankine is way too high.

Cornes put together a list of 22 players who he believes are better than Rankine.

The 22 Players better then Rankine

(According to Kane Cornes)

• Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
• Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
• Errol Gulden (Sydney)
• Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
• Chad Warner (Sydney)
• Nick Blakey (Sydney)
• Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
• Toby Greene (GWS)
• Sam Taylor (GWS)
• Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
• Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
• Sam Walsh (Carlton)
• Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
• Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
• Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
• Tom Stewart (Geelong)
• Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
• Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
• Max Gawn (Melbourne)
• Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
• Zach Merrett (Essendon)
• Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)

Note: Cornes thought about adding Essendon’s Kyle Langford and Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston.

The debate then turned to Rankine v Greene, the latter being the All-Australian captain last year.

“There is no way, on 2024 comparison, that Toby Greene is in front of Izak Rankine - absolutely no way,” King said on SEN Breakfast.

Cornes: “He’s a 100 per cent a better footballer than Izak Rankine, that’s what you’re saying, that he’s going to be the best footballer in four weeks.”

King: “On the 2024 season, you cannot put Toby Greene next to Izak Rankine, no way!”

Cornes: “Greene is a better player. Rankine might be in better form.

“My opinion is that Toby Greene is a better player than Izak Rankine.”

King: “Of course he is, he is an All-Australian captain, but not on 2024 form.”

Cornes: “In four weeks I’m suggesting that I’d still rather have Toby Greene over Izak Rankine.”

King concluded: “Rankine is playing 25 per cent midfield. Wait until it goes to 50-50 or 70-30 and look out!”

Listen to the debate below: