Port fans savaged over 'disgusting' act as Dan Houston faces big AFL ban for Izak Rankine hit

Port Adelaide supporters have drawn the ire of the AFL world after booing Izak Rankine while he was being taken from the ground on a medicab on Saturday night. Dan Houston is facing a big ban after a high bump left Rankine prone on the ground in Port Adelaide's victory over the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

Houston laid out Rankine with a front-on bump, with the Crows player unaware of Houston's presence because he only had eyes for the ball. The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Power's important 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) victory, but it looks as though they're set to lose Houston for an extended period.

Rankine was on the ground for a number of minutes, but was eventually helped to his feet and driven off the ground on a medical cart with concussion. In ugly scenes, a number of Port fans booed Rankine while he was being taken from the field, leaving TV viewers disgusted.

"Port fans booing Rankine off says it all, absolutely disgusting," one person wrote on social media. Another commented: "Port Adelaide supporters booing off a concussed Izak Rankine is terrible. They are a blight on the game."

While a third added: "Port fans need to take a hard look at themselves. Booing Rankine was so unnecessary." Others described it as "classless" and "disgraceful".

Dan Houston facing big ban in blow for Port Adelaide

The high contact and damage that Rankine suffered means Houston is likely to be referred directly to the AFL tribunal when the match review officer's findings are delivered later on Sunday. It puts Houtson's availability for the finals in series doubt, but also means he might have played his final game for the Power.

The 27-year-old is contracted to Port until the end of 2027, but is reportedly considering a move home to Victoria. "Once he cools down there'll be a moment," Port coach Ken Hinkley said in his press conference. "He's a really fair player, he's an outstanding person. Anyone who's been involved in those type of situations I'm sure ... they know what's going on. They feel the consequence of what's happened.

"He'll wait and see what's delivered to him and he'll move on from there. He's a really, really good person. I can't say it enough. And I know people will sit there and go, 'I don't care whether he's a really, really good person'. I do. I care about him. He's a fantastic bloke."

Power and Crows respond to Dan Houston-Izak Rankine incident

Port players showed their support for Houston amid what Zak Butters described as a "chaotic" situation. Adelaide players were incensed by the hit and immediately remonstrated with Houston, sparking a melee.

"My thoughts are with Izak, obviously you don't want to see any player deal with that. I hope he's going OK," Butters said. "But Dan's a valued team member. I love playing with him and if that was Dan or any other of my teammates I'd throw my arms around him and have his back. I thought we really made him feel pretty comfortable out there in probably a tough situation for him."

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Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks wasn't willing to give his opinion on the hit, instead switching the focus to Rankine and his condition. "His health and welfare's the priority for us now," Nicks said. "He's just making sure he's OK, and he is. He's up and about but we'll keep a close eye on him."

with AAP