Adelaide star Izak Rankine’s ban for using a homophobic slur won’t be known until Wednesday.

Rankine, the Crows and the AFL continued high-level talks over Rankine’s fate on Tuesday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Crows write to AFL in bid to clear Izak Rankine.

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But 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed the Crows have thrown a late curveball into the investigation.

“All parties around this investigation thought it would be wrapped up by today (Tuesday), but there’s been a late twist,” Cleary said on Tuesday night.

“Last night Adelaide entered a written submission to the AFL to try to have Rankine free to play this year. Now, on precedent, he would receive a five-match ban, which would ultimately end his 2025 season.

“But the Crows have moved to have that reduced by highlighting extenuating circumstances, which are believed to include the fact he was being targeted verbally by Collingwood players earlier in the game.”

Cleary said Adelaide believe Rankine showed contrition to the opposing player after the incident, and they also believe Rankine was “provoked”.

“Part of it includes an exchange with (former Port Adelaide player) Dan Houston,” Cleary revealed on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.

“(Houston) knocked Rankine out in his last game as a Port Adelaide player last year (before joining Collingwood).”

Cleary said the Crows believe the circumstances should be enough to free Rankine and allow him to play AFL again this year.

“Now the AFL carried out further interviews today ... so no outcome today on a decision that will shape the upcoming finals series. We are expected to have it by this time tomorrow, that’s of course unless we get another late curveball.”

The ladder-leading Crows have one home and away game remaining and will then host two finals.

Asked if there was a chance to have Rankine’s ban capped at three games (and possible see him play in a grand final), Cleary said thought a three-game ban “would be a stretch”.

“Three (games) there would be outrage,” Cleary said The Agenda Setters.

“Four would still be a surprise.”

If the 25-year-old is suspended for four games, the Crows would need to lose a final en route to the grand final for Rankine to be available for the premiership decider.

Rankine — who called the Collingwood player a f*****, will be the fourth player suspended since last April for directing a homophobic slur at an opponent during an AFL game.

Last month, West Coast’s Jack Graham was banned for four games after he admitted making a homophobic remark to a GWS player.

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

Two VFL players have also recently been banned for homophobic slurs.

Last month, Sydney defender Riak Andrew was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans’ reserves team against North Melbourne.

And in July last year, St Kilda’s Lance Collard was banned for six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown.

While Collard’s offence was during a VFL game, he was an AFL-listed player and, as such, bound by AFL rules

Rankine’s teammate Taylor Walker on Tuesday said the 25-year-old would accept any punishment from the AFL.

“I spoke to him last night on the phone and he’s very remorseful,” former Crows captain Walker told Triple M radio.

“He understands that he has made a mistake and he’ll accept whatever comes his way.”

Walker said Rankine, regarded as among the league’s most talented players, was “antagonised week-in, week-out; things get said to him that probably shouldn’t”.

“Unfortunately that’s the situation,” said Walker, who stressed it didn’t excuse Rankine’s slur.

“It’s a bit of fun trying to put your opposition off but you have got to be super, super critical and understanding of who they are and their background and their journey.”

- With AAP