‘Crushing’: Houston learns fate after Rankine bump

Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston has been slapped with a five-week ban for his dangerous bump on Adelaide’s Izak Rankine during Saturday night’s Showdown.
During the third quarter of the Power’s 22-point win, the ball landed in Rankine’s hands as he attempted to dispose of it.
However, Houston attacked and elected to bump Rankine, flooring him and leaving him unconscious on the Adelaide Oval turf, before he was stretchered off.
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The Power advocated for a three-match suspension, attempting to downgrade the original five weeks that the AFL imposed.
Despite Port Adelaide arguing that Houston did not technically bump Rankine directly in the head, the tribunal declared the act was on the “higher level of carelessness”.
Izak Rankine is knocked down after being bumped by Dan Houston. Mark Brake via Getty Images
Rankine was “exposed and vulnerable”, according to the AFL’s Jeff Gleeson said.
“Houston breached that duty of care and that breach was significant.”
“He had time to weigh up his options . The time he had to decided not to bump, the vulnerability of Rankine … lead us to believe this was a serious breach of duty of care.”
Dan Houston of the Power with fans after the win during the 2024 AFL Round 23 match between the port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on August 17, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images) AFL Photos via Getty Images
Houston had never been suspended in his career to date and has only received one melee fine, which the Power utilised in their defence.
“I reached out to Izak after the game and apologised. I want to formally apologise again now,” Houston said on Tuesday night.
“I like to think that I’m a fair player. I have never been suspended before.
“I’ve been an AFL player for nine years. I’ve played in many finals, but never in a grand final. Losing the opportunity to play in a grand final would be crushing to me.”
Houston has now likely played his last game in the teal, white and black, with trade rumours swirling about a likely move back to Victoria to continue his career.