Adelaide star Izak Rankine will miss a guaranteed spiteful rematch against Collingwood , with the AFL sending the Crows to the MCG to face the Magpies for their 2026 opener.

Rankine was suspended for four games after admitting to using a homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide’s thrilling round-23 win this year.

The 25-year-old had to sit out the Crows’ last home and away game against North Melbourne.

Adelaide became the first minor premiers to exit the finals in straight sets since 1983 after losing to Collingwood and Hawthorn, meaning Rankine still has one game left of his suspension to serve.

Collingwood secured redemption for their late-season defeat at the Adelaide Oval, upsetting the Crows in the qualifying final at the same venue.

The Adelaide crow

See Full Page