'He hasn't been outside': Taylor Walker speaks as AFL investigates allegation that Izaak Rankine made a homophobic slur

Adelaide Crows spearhead Taylor Walker says teammate Izak Rankine is "very remorseful" and will "accept whatever comes his way" as the AFL investigates an allegation that he uttered a homophobic slur.

Taylor, a former Crows skipper, also suggested Rankine hadn't left his house since arriving home after Saturday night's clash with Collingwood at Adelaide Oval.

Rankine is facing the prospect of receiving a suspension that ends his season after he allegedly directed a homophobic slur at a Collingwood player during Adelaide's three-point win.

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The Crows are four points clear atop the ladder and have a prime opportunity to win their first premiership since 1998.

"I spoke to him [Rankine] last night on the phone, and he's very remorseful, and he understands that he's made a mistake, and he'll accept whatever comes his way," Walker said on Triple M Breakfast with Roo, Ditts & Loz on Tuesday morning.

"He hasn't been outside, and he had a full day of investigation with the AFL yesterday, and until such time the sanction is handed down, I can't comment on that.

"What I can comment on is that our footy club is a very positive and supportive environment, and we will do, we will support 'Ranks'.

"However, we don't agree with what happened."

Walker was asked if the relentless sledging Rankine was subjected to could be used as an argument in his favour.

"Once you start getting going down that line, whether it be family, the colour of your skin, and I've obviously been on the other side of that, whether it be what sexuality you find yourself with, I think you're treading on thin, thin ice when you go down that path," Walker said.

"And I think it's a bit of fun trying to put your team's opposition off, but you've got to be super, super critical and understanding of who they are, their background and their journey. So it's a very touchy subject."

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd knows from his own experience how hard it is to win an AFL premiership, having only won one in his illustrious 270-game career. Indeed, some are flag-less from more games.

With that in mind, the 2000 premiership winner made a grim assessment of the situation facing Rankine.

Mulling the prospect of the 25-year-old being ruled out for the season and the Crows winning the premiership, Lloyd said: "He, in time, will never [be able to] live with himself."

"In time, I think the Crows will get angry, they'll be angry with him, because you can cop injuries, but you can't cop ... suspension, and then this is even worse, I think the way this has come about, because it's not a football act," Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.

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"And then he, in time, will never [be able to] live with himself, either. The thought that'll sink in over the next week or two ... [He'll be saying], 'Imagine they go on and play in a premiership and I'm not there'. They are that hard to get to.

"And they're all the things — it's terrible — that are going to be running through his mind, and the club's."

If the allegation raised against Rankine is proved to be true, he will become the sixth AFL-listed player to have been found guilty of making a homophobic slur across the past two seasons.

The five players who have been sanctioned in that time — Jeremy Finlayson, Wil Powell, Lance Collard, Jack Graham and Riak Andrew — were dealt suspensions ranging from three to six games, depending on factors such as the severity of the slur and whether they self-reported.

If the Crows advance to the grand final via the quickest route possible, they will play another four games this season, including Saturday afternoon's match against North Melbourne in the final round of the regular season.

If the Crows reach the grand final after losing their qualifying final, they will play another five games this season.

Coach Matthew Nicks has engineered an incredible rebuild since landing his first AFL head coaching gig ahead of the 2020 season, but the Rankine saga is threatening to blow up the club's hopes of turning that rebuild into ultimate glory.

Hawthorn and Sydney legend Lance Franklin said on The Buddy and Shane Show: "They cannot win the grand final without him in their team."

Geelong great Jimmy Bartel echoed what Lloyd said.

"He's going to have to carry this with him forever," Bartel said on Footy Classified.

"Every time we have an incident, unfortunately, his name is going to be raised. That's part of the punishment ... You'll be dragged up with the rest of those names like we're doing currently with him. All those previous names who have [been] suspended — their names get brought up again.

"You're right, Lloydy — it lives with you forever if you were to miss out on a grand final."