The fallout from the AFL’s investigation into Izak Rankine has begun even before the Adelaide Crows star has learned his fate over an alleged homophobic slur.

The livewire forward is facing a lengthy ban if found guilty of directing a slur at a Collingwood opponent in Saturday’s clash at Adelaide Oval.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AFL investigating Izak Rankine over alleged homophobic slur.

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Previous suspensions for homophobic slurs have ranged from three to five games, putting Rankine at risk of missing a possible grand final appearance.

“Obviously it’s not ideal,” Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson told reporters on arrival at the club’s West Lakes headquarters on Monday.

“But it’s in the AFL’s hands, it’s being investigated and we will see what happens.

“We will wait and see and leave it up to the AFL to go through what they have to go through.”

Crows forward Darcy Fogarty also said it’s “definitely not ideal” and twice said he would not get into details.

But when asked how much “education AFL players receive about what’s appropriate on the field around homophobia”, he spoke more openly and emphasised: “Yeah, I reckon we definitely get enough. Yeah.”

Fogarty said from his perspective the league’s culture is “positive and supportive”.

“We’re massive role models for the community. We’ve got to be really careful in terms of how we use that power,” the 25-year-old said.

Any ban for Rankine, also 25, would be a hammer blow to Adelaide’s finals campaign.

“We’ve had a massive process for the whole year of ‘next guy up’ so we’ve got massive belief that any role can be filled at the moment,” Fogarty said.

The AFL this year banned West Coast’s Jack Graham for four games after he admitted a homophobic slur against a GWS opponent in round 17.

Last year, Gold Coast’s Wil Powell was suspended for five matches and Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson was banned three games, both for making homophobic comments to opponents.

The Crows will enter the finals in top spot if they defeat North Melbourne on Saturday.

Adelaide will then host two finals as the club returns to September for the first time since losing the 2017 grand final.

Rankine, 25, is yet to play a final and last week spoke of his excitement.

“I have never been this high on the ladder before so it’s quite nice,” he told reporters.

“We’ll appreciate it ... it’s nice to think about, but we know we have some more steps to take throughout the year.”

Rankine spent three seasons with Gold Coast before the Adelaide-born playmaker joined the Crows at the end of the 2022 season.

- with AAP