The 2023 season was one of growth for the Adelaide Football Club.
From a pair of Showdown victories to opening Gather Round in style, the campaign was filled with memorable moments.
Across the next few months we will look back on the 2023 season by hearing from the players who helped define it.
Welcome to AFC Media’s Reflections series.
When Adelaide forward Izak Rankine sits back to think about his first year at the Crows, he smiles, showing just how much he loves being back home.
Rankine’s recruitment ahead of the 2023 season was met with anticipation from Crows fans, excited the Club was bringing a talented forward into the fold.
For Rankine, there’s one picture that can sum up how much it meant to him to pull on the tri coloured guernsey and play for the team he had supported growing up:
Speaking to AFC Media, Rankine said the moment - which came in the Round Three Showdown win against Port Adelaide - as the best memory from his first campaign with the Crows.
“One of the best things about my first year at the Crows was just feeling a part of something special,’ Rankine said.
“That first Showdown is definitely my favourite memory.
“Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to play in a Showdown and perform well and I felt like I did that.
“That still sticks out the most, winning my first Showdown and especially it being an away Showdown, it was pretty special.”
Rankine’s homecoming proved pivotal, as he enjoyed a career-best year.
The 23-year-old goalsneak averaged 15.9 disposals, up from 13.4 in 2022 and 11.7 in 2021.
Rankine also ended this season with a career-high 36 goals, from 20 games.
“Obviously we didn’t quite get what we wanted out of the year but we did show a lot of improvement within the Club and my own performance,” Rankine said.
“I definitely loved the transition over from Gold Coast to back home.
“The Club has made me feel so welcome.”
Rankine’s homecoming was, however, soured by a hamstring injury sustained during the Round 19 loss to Melbourne.
It led to him missing the next three games and he said watching from the sidelines was not easy.
“When I did my hamstring I was pretty upset,” Rankine said.
“We were pushing for finals during that time and it was pretty heartbreaking to be honest, because I really wanted to put us in good shape for finals.
“Having good people around me helped, though.
“But I got back on the horse and played the last two games and I felt like we gave it a good crack and finished well.”
Behind the happiness of returning home, Rankine’s hunger for success with the Crows is also laid bare.
Refusing to rest on his most successful personal season to date, Rankine says he wants nothing more than team success.
“The pressure to perform every week makes it even better and you really want to make everyone proud,” Rankine said.
“Our fans are really passionate and I knew that coming back, so it was pretty cool to be part of it.
“I think the Club has a bright future ahead and I really want to help take this Club back into the finals and be successful again.
“I’m excited for the future and hopefully we'll be holding up the Cup one day.”
