The Gold Coast Bulletin

TIME WILL TELL OVER RANKINE’S RETURN

- TOM BOSWELL

IN four years time we won’t remember the delayed start to the career of highly touted draft pick Izak Rankine.

That is the thought process of Suns coach Stuart Dew who isn’t reaching for the panic button just yet following news of Rankine’s injury setback that will keep him sidelined for another four to six weeks.

Dew said the club was content with taking a cautious approach with the 19-year-old small forward who is battling a hamstring injury, especially given they are scheduled for a bye in about a month in Round 14.

“It’s a minor set back,” Dew said.

“It’s so small but I guess he is a first-year player; he has done it badly earlier so what might be a one or two week for someone, when we are this close to a bye, common sense will give it a little more.

“It gives us time to work on some other parts of his body and physicalit­y.

“We are not panicking yet. In two, three or four years time we won’t remember the first 10 to 12 games of his career and we will build him the right way.”

Rankine was rated the most talented player at last year’s draft and taken with pick 3 by Gold Coast.

The South Australian lived up to his hype in preseason games, bamboozlin­g three Brisbane defenders in one movement, while producing a stunning dribble kick for a goal against the Bulldogs were among a handful of early highlights.

Rankine had a Round 1 spot sewn up but he has had to watch teammate Jack Lukosius go on to play six games while spending his time in the rehab group.

 ?? Picture: GETTY IMAGES ?? The Suns are in no rush to bring young gun Izak Rankine into their team just yet
Picture: GETTY IMAGES The Suns are in no rush to bring young gun Izak Rankine into their team just yet

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