For Izak Rankine, a maiden finals campaign means more than most. 

The Adelaide star midfielder will take the next step in his career with the Club he grew up barracking for.

He will also enter the Crows' finals campaign in strong form, having amassed 36 disposals against Richmond in Round 22, a career-high 39 against Fremantle in Round 23, and 35 against GWS in Round 24.

Ahead of the Crows’ Elimination Final against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval this Saturday night, Rankine opens up on his evolution in 2026, Jordan Dawson's influence, team connection, and what it means to play finals in Crows colours.

Becoming a bonafide midfielder

Prior to this season, Rankine was splitting his time between the forward line and midfield, but always had a desire to cement his spot within the Crows’ on-ball brigade.

Rankine knew there were plenty of aspects of his game that needed improving to solidify himself as a full-time midfielder.

Speaking to AFC Media, Rankine said he had put in a mountain of work to get his body and mind fit enough to play midfield.

“There was a lot of work that went on behind the scenes, speaking with Nicksy, VB (Nathan van Berlo) the midfield coach, putting in extra hours at home and making sure I’m eating the right things, coming to the Club, doing extras, recovering well, and just getting a good holistic approach to being an AFL footballer,” Rankine said.

“I've always wanted to play midfield, I played midfield growing up, and now I'm starting to show the Club and the supporters that I can do it. 

“I just had to fix up my two-way running, and understanding the game and when the opposition gets momentum against us, how to mentally stay in the game and not get frustrated.

“I've found that the way I can get more of those opportunities is really delving into the defensive side of the game, getting back and helping the defenders, and being an option for them when they get stuck.”

Despite always having the inner belief he was good enough, Rankine said he was in a much better place now than he was at the start of the season.

“I feel becoming a better human, feeling more confident, and feeling like I had the support around me really helped,” Rankine said.

“I definitely think I am a different player now, compared to the start of the season.

“I always knew I could be this player, I never completely doubted myself. I had confidence in my ability and had a vision on where I want to go as an individual, but also where I want to go with the team and my place in the team.

“I visualise a lot and try and see where we're going to be as a Club, and where I fit in around others. I feel like I've just found a good balance, had a good support network around me.”

Finding his feet amid rising expectations

Rankine sat out of the Crows’ 2025 finals campaign due to suspension and was eager to return a better person and player.

By his own admission, however, he found it challenging to find his feet amid rising on-field expectations during the first half of this season.

“I had been really focused off the back of last year, being suspended, and feeling like I let the boys down a bit leading in the final, so I really wanted to go away, and work on myself as a human being, as a player, and come back firing,” Rankine said.

“(But) I think I came into the year with a bit too much expectation, and I wanted to prove people wrong and play well, and show people I could do it.

“Then I started to look outside of myself and go, ‘you know what, I am working hard and I am preparing myself as much as possible’.

“I just started doing the things that I could, and honing in on my role and what I needed to do, and then the other stuff just came off the back of it.

“There’s definitely been some challenges, but I feel like I’ve come up the other side in a good way.”

Despite the internal and sometimes external noise, Rankine was able to narrow his focus and that began to pay dividends with his on-field form.

“I definitely feel like I've started to hit my strides in the back half of the season, “I would have liked to have started a bit better, but I feel like I've found my spot and my role.” Rankine said.

“Earlier in the season, I was trying to understand what it means to be a midfielder and what it takes, but now I feel like I've got a good balance, and the group around me has definitely helped me find that.

“I feel like I took my game to another level against Essendon. There was a lot of work going on behind the scenes, lots of chats with coaches, Nathan van Berlo in particular, and with (Jordan) Dawson.

“I watched a lot of vision on how I was in certain points of the game, and how I could support the team, and I definitely felt when we played against Essendon and onwards, I could see the game a lot clearer, and I was feeling a lot more confident.”

Attacking his first finals campaign

Rankine will line up in his first finals game when Adelaide faces the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

It will be an extra special occasion for the 25-year-old, given his first ever final will be played for the Club he grew up supporting.

Rankine said he was set to embrace the moment.

“I am feeling a lot of excitement, it was a dream for me to play finals footy,” Rankine said.

“As a young kid growing up, I wanted to play finals and play finals for a team I grew up supporting, so this is really exciting. 

“I’m leaning into the challenge, the pressure is going to be there, there’s going to be a lot of expectation, a lot of pressure, but I'm looking forward to it and can’t wait to run out with the boys.

“I speak to myself a lot about embracing the moment, not letting it just go past you, and just staying in that sort of flow state, and trying to make the most of every opportunity that you have, because it doesn't happen to everyone, there's no promise we're going to be here next year, so we got to make the most our opportunity now.”

The Skipper’s influence

Rankine says his career-best form would not have been possible without the support of his Skipper Jordan Dawson.

Dawson has also delivered career-best form throughout the past few years following a permanent midfield transition.

“Jordan Dawson being Skipper, that has helped me a lot,” Rankine said.

“He's such a great bloke, such a great human, and it helps as well that he's a gun footballer and he sees the game well.

“He sets up so well and helps other people set up as well. 

“I found that coming into the midfield, at first I would be like ‘where do I go?’, and he would just point me in the right direction.”

Rankine on being named in the All-Australian squad

The star midfielder’s backend form led to him being named in this year’s All-Australian squad of 46.

Although he didn’t make the final team, Rankine said he was proud to have been selected in the squad and now had his eye on team success.

“It's definitely nice to get a bit of recognition for your hard work and things like that,” Rankine said.

“But I'm more looking forward to the finals and what we can do as a group, and hopefully hold that cup up.

“As you get older, you realise you don't perform as well if the people around you aren't performing as well and doing their job and everyone's playing their role and we're all jelling as a group.

For me, the best feeling is when you win but also you know you win in a way where you all do it together. You've all had moments, and you feel like you could contribute to the squad and to the win just as much as anyone else.”

Midfield group connection

A focus of the Crows’ on-ball brigade this season has been building connection on and off the field.

Rankine said Adelaide's midfield cohesion was the result of countless conversations and shared experiences throughout the season.

“We had talks on how our centre clearances and our stoppage work as a whole wasn't where it needed to be earlier in the year,” Rankine said.

“But honestly, the only way you're going to get better is playing alongside the same sort of people and playing together as much as possible, having hallway chats, spa chats, getting together as a group and looking each other in the eye and being honest, and also just having a laugh and a joke as well, and building that connection.

“It doesn't just happen. You can't just go on the field, and hope we are connected, you have to build it week-in, week-out, on game day, out training.

“It's really coming to life now, and you can see that with our clearance work, our stoppage work, and just our movement around the ground.”

Rankine on the belief, a home final, and the Crows’ fans

While acknowledging the unique demands of September football, Rankine said the Crows were set to enter finals with confidence, clarity and strong momentum.

“A lot of people see it as another game, realistically, it's going to be a lot more pressure, and it is a different game, and it's going to be fast-paced,” Rankine said.

“There's going to be moments where you're not in the right spot, or you make a mistake, but it's about how quickly you can then come back and re-centre yourself and focus back to back to the team and nail your role, so I'm very excited.

“There's a lot of belief within the group. It's probably funny to say, but even I feel as though there's more belief than last year. 

“We feel like we've ended the season where we wanted to be structurally with everyone feeling good and having that belief and confidence. I'm sure the boys are just keen to get out there and just play footy.”

Rankine also thanked the Club's Members and supporters for their unwavering backing throughout the season.

“The energy you bring to the games is, no matter where you are, we can feel it out there,” Rankine said. 

“No matter if you're at home, the energy goes into the universe and it comes back to us as players, and we can really feel you know when you're up and about and cheering us on and supporting us, it gives us a lot of confidence and a lot of belief for ourselves. 

“There's nothing better when you kick a goal or something happens and the crowd just roars and cheers and and goes off.

“My message to fans would be to just support hard and we'll try and make you proud.”

Adelaide faces the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Saturday at 7.05pm.

For more details, head to the Club’s finals hub here.