'Found his niche': Crows coach hails midfielder Rankine

A week after collecting a career-high 33 touches, Rankine was a force against the Roos at Adelaide Oval with 28 disposals, including 15 contested possessions, 10 clearances, seven inside-50s, plus a goal.

"He's really found his niche of what that looks like," Nicks said of Rankine's midfield role.

"And he's not chasing the game at the moment, he's allowing the game to come to him.

"He understands his role, he's got real clarity about what he does and what's really important for us as a team.

"And so, with that, we're getting rewarded - as is he - because he's in the right spots when we need him."

Rankine has slowly built into the season after serving the last match of his four-game ban for a homophobic slur in round one.

And while his penchant for the brilliant remains, Nicks praised the blue-collar aspects of the 26-year-old's game.

"Izak has always been known for the flashy goal from the boundary - and we know how good he is as a player," the coach said.

"But right now, we're seeing chase, tackles, run-downs through the middle of the ground.

"He's in positions that maybe you don't even see on the telly at times that we look back at as a team and reward."

Beyond that, Rankine - who admitted he considered quitting the AFL in the wake of his controversial suspension - was again happy.

"He's in a really good space physically, he's moving well," Nicks said.

"But mentally he's enjoying playing footy, and he's playing a really important role in our midfield."