Izak Rankine is currently out of favour at the Gold Coast Suns.
The talented Suns forward was dropped last week after a run of poor form, kicking just one goal in six games.
Rankine, the No.3 pick in the 2018 draft, is a West Adelaide product and comes out of contract at the end of next year, along with fellow South Australian Jack Lukosius and gun forward Ben King.
Former Adelaide recruiter Matt Rendell says Rankine “needs a rocket up him” from Gold Coast’s hierarchy heading into next season.
Rendell also expects the Adelaide Crows to closely monitor the 21-year-old’s situation at the Suns.
“You would have been on the phone last year and the year before,” Rendell told SEN Flip.
“I used to ring every manager about every South Australian player on every list around February. You’d be speaking about Rankine non-stop.
“He’s a class act. I’ve been really disappointed with him this year. His work rate has been really poor – so he needs a rocket up him.
“He’s got more talent in his little finger than most have got in their whole body, but I’d still be making inquiries because he’s too good a player to be playing like that.
“I know he’s had a poor year this year, but surely not next year. You’d be following him diligently and maybe you might be able to pinch him.
“You’d certainly be trying to get him. That’s from an Adelaide point of view.”
Rankine has kicked 28 goals in 30 games for the Suns.