The AFL has a problem. Adelaide’s Izak Rankine is awaiting his fate after being accused of using a homophobic slur towards a Collingwood player during Saturday night’s match at Adelaide Oval.

If Rankine’s alleged transgression were an aberration in the wider football community, everyone would accept his stated remorse (he reportedly called his opponent to apologise), he would – if the accusation is upheld – accept his penalty, and the game would kick on to the grand final in all its glory.

Crow Izak Rankine celebrating a goal earlier in the season.Credit: AFL Photos

However, the reported slur is not an aberration. And it is here the AFL has a problem. Despite its outstretched hands welcoming inclusivity across society, and despite shaping the competition and structure of the game to reflect the ideals it advertises, the problem persists. The use of personal slurs that aim to wound has no place on the field. Indeed, it has no place from one person to another off the field, either.

Yet in the past two seasons, we have seen this in relation to homophobic comments: 2024 – Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide) banned for three games; Wil Powell (Gold Coast) five games; Lance Collard (St........

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