Brisbane defender Brandon Starcevich is champing at the bit to go head-to-head with Adelaide star Izak Rankine on Sunday.
The Crows livewire has been one of the form players of the competition this year, with the small forward thriving on either side of a recent hamstring setback as he balances his performances between midfield and attack.
The dual-positioned threat’s rise has often been a catalyst in Adelaide’s victories under Matthew Nicks this year, with last week’s upset win over GWS no different.
Rankine collected 21 disposals and two goals in his second game back from injury, tearing the game apart to give the Crows their fifth scalp of the season.
But another learning from the Round 16 win was Giant Toby Bedford’s ability to tame Rankine after half-time, with the ex-Sun kept to just the six touches after the main break.
The Lions are set to call on a mix of their midfield and Starcevich to clamp Rankine’s impact at the Gabba this weekend, with the Brisbane defender keen to matchup on the energetic Crows talent.
“It’s something I look forward to, taking on those small forwards,” Starcevich said at Saturday’s captain’s run.
“When [Rankine] is forward I’ll probably see a bit of him. Obviously he starts in the midfield a bit and does some good work around stoppages, so that’s on the mids and I’ll take him when he goes forward.
“I love the challenge. The competitive side of me really enjoys it, it keeps me on my toes week to week.
“It’s good at training that I get to play on some of the best in Charlie (Cameron) and the upcoming Kai Lohmann, who’s got a lot of energy.
“They keep me on my toes during the week.”
Coach Chris Fagan is well aware of the damage Rankine can do to his side’s hopes of making it five successive wins, with the 24-year-old booting three goals from his 24 disposals when the two sides met in Round 9.
The drawn result has given the Lions much to consider in regards to Rankine’s impact, with Fagan knowing clear communication between his engine room and rearguard will be critical.
“Izak is a fantastic player. When he lights up they light up,” Fagan said earlier this week.
“We saw that last week against the Giants, particularly in the first half. We’ll plan and prepare for him, but understandingly he’s a very hard man to stop when he gets on a roll.
“The communication between midfielders and the defender is going to take account for him. We need to make sure that’s explained really clearly about how and when it happens.
“We’ll try and do the best job we can.”
The Lions host Adelaide at the Gabba on Sunday at 4:10pm (AEST) to close out Round 17.
