IZAK Rankine has been granted the move he wanted, traded to Adelaide from Gold Coast on Monday.
Rankine, pick No.3 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, told the Suns in August he wanted to continue his career in his home state, South Australia.
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The move was sealed on Monday as the Crows landed Rankine, pick No.46 and a future fourth-round selection (tied to Fremantle) in exchange for pick No.5, a future third and future fourth.
Rankine, 22, has played 48 AFL games and enjoyed a career-best year in 2022, kicking 29 goals in 18 matches, and he has signed a three-year deal at the Crows.
Speaking on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio, Adelaide's list manager Justin Reid said getting Rankine's signature was great news for the Crows.
"It's always nice to get it done early and not be sitting there on Wednesday at that 7.30pm deadline," Reid laughed.
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"We've watched Izak for a long time leading into the draft four years ago, and we knew being a Crows supporter as a kid, he was jumping off his couch at the age of four in a Crows guernsey with his dad.
"I think a bit of a lightbulb moment was when he played on Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide and he had his family in the changerooms, I think that really opened up the door for us.
"Once that happened, things moved pretty quickly after that."
Rankine's arrival adds additional excitement to Adelaide's forward line.
Darcy Fogarty finished the season strongly and Josh Rachele, pick No.6 in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft, showed glimpses of what he was capable of in 13 games this year.
Taylor Walker booted 47 goals, while the Crows also have Shane McAdam and Riley Thilthorpe, among others, in their ranks.
Suns general manager of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron said the club was satisfied with what it got in return for Rankine.
"We had invested a lot of time and resources into Izak in his four years at the club, so when he requested a trade we had to ensure we were satisfied and compensated appropriately for our investment," he said.
"To receive a top-five draft selection was important to us, and Adelaide's future picks will help us execute our strategy and strengthen our draft collateral for next year."
