The aftermath of the Izak Rankine situation was always going to be a hot topic heading into Thursday night's qualifying final, and Adelaide fans ensured it stayed that way, hurling a choir of boos in the direction of Isaac Quaynor, the player it's rumoured Rankine directed a homophobic slur at three weeks ago.
The opening game of the finals was a heated battle, with emotions spilling over similarly to how they did in Adelaide and Collingwood's round 23 meeting, when Rankine uttered the homophobic slur that saw him hit with a four-week ban.
Despite inexplicably being on the receiving end of the crowd's hostility, Quaynor delivered one of the best performances of his career, helping anchor a Collingwood defence that gave up just eight goals, as he finished with 16 disposals, six intercept possessions and five score involvements.
Speaking post-game, Quaynor admitted he heard the boos, but didn't let them worry him.
MORE: AFL Qualifying Final Adelaide player ratings: Izak Rankine's season alive after Crows fall
"I did hear a little bit of it," Quaynor said post-game on SEN.
"To be honest I get so locked in in games I don't really pay much mind to anything else other than what's on the field.
"What I paid mind to was the Collingwood fans with the Collingwood chant and the incredible noise that they were making."
🗣️ “I did hear a little bit of it to be honest.”
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) September 4, 2025
⚫️⚪️ Collingwood star Isaac Quaynor on tonight’s hostile atmosphere.
➡️ Interviews throughout Finals in the rooms all thanks to Tempur.#AFLCrowsPies #AFLFinals 🏆 pic.twitter.com/gkyCIVlsUl
His coach Craig McRae criticised the fan behaviour post-game.
"I just get disappointed with that. I find that really disappointing," he said.
"I'm really proud of him."
However, Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks refused to acknowledge the behaviour of the Crows fans, saying "It's not one for me to comment on."
In light of Adelaide's defeat, Izak Rankine will now be available for a Grand Final should they reach the decider, with just two weeks remaining on the suspension he copped for the homophobic slur.