RANKING RANKINE
TEAMMATE’S HIGH PRAISE:
IZAK Rankine’s football skills are widely known across the country but few are as aware of just how far his talents range than his Suns teammate Sean Lemmens.
Hamstring injuries have meant the No.3 selection from last year’s draft has been unsighted at AFL level outside of the pre-season campaign where he showed glimpses of what he will bring to the league for Gold Coast. The 19-year-old is currently living with Lemmens who has acted as a mentor to Rankine and provided a sounding board to the developing talent.
Lemmens has spent the bulk of his season also in rehabilitation, giving him even more time to work with the young South Australian.
It has led Lemmens to discover Rankine’s abilities go far beyond just the football field.
“He is a really good kid. He has plenty of energy around the house that is for sure, a bit more than me,” Lemmens said.
“He has a lot of different talents, anything he picks up he is good at. He is really good with his music and the guitar and we know how good he is on the footy field.”
One thing Lemmens still has over Rankine is his skills in the kitchen.
“He gets in the kitchen every now and then. He is still learning but willing to help out.”
Rankine largely plays on instinct but he has been an eager student when it comes to learning the intricacies of Gold Coast’s game style.
“He is like all young players. They are raw when they come in and don’t know a whole lot,” Lemmens said.
“He asks a lot of questions and is always willing to come up to me and try and find that next edge to make himself better.”