Gold Coast captain Touk Miller has confirmed that the club's leadership group has spoken to young Sun Izak Rankine as trade speculation continues to link him to a move to Adelaide.
The young gun has played 17 games for the Suns so far this season, averaging 13.4 disposals and 1.6 goals per match. The 22-year-old remains unsigned for 2023, with Adelaide reportedly willing to offer the South Australian product big money to make the move back home.
Speaking to afl.com.au on Monday, Miller said that he wanted Rankine to remain at the Suns beyond 2022 and confirmed he had spoken to the young forward about his worth to the club.
"I know there's a lot of speculation around him and his future, but for us we really want him to be at this club. He's a special person, special player," Miller said.
"We've gone to him and had a few chats about how much he means to us and means to the club, so whether that plays a part in the decision, hopefully it does.
"As a leadership group, that's part of what you have to do.
"This club wants success, and he can be a key part of that."
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Rankine's name has been heavily linked to the Crows in recent weeks, speculation that Miller has said can have an impact on young players like Rankine.
"I know speculation like that can make it really hard around the club and can make things awkward and nervous, but we want him to feel as comfortable as possible, feel like he can still be himself and play his best footy," Miller said.
"He's human.
"I can say it's not easy for him and you probably do have your head down a bit more.
"In saying that, we still got a lot of good things out of him game day.
"I'm not in his head, I can't exactly say what he's going to do, but we really want him to stay.
"He's such a special part and key part to our club going forward. We'd love to have him."
Rankine was taken with pick number 3 in the 2018 national draft. Throughout his 47 games with Gold Coastย he has kicked 55 goals.
