Career
He was described as a skilful rover, who ran with a stoop and was noted for his football nous, accurate kicking and stamina. He did not play in 1898 due to typhoid, but returned to the side in the next year and appeared in every season until his retirement in 1910, but by then, in the backline. Rankin’s career spanned 20 seasons of football for Geelong.
During the VFL part of it (1897, 1899-1910), he captained Geelong in 15 matches, played 180 games and kicked 35 goals.
All up, he played 241 games for Geelong, a record which stood until 1939, when beaten by Regional Hickey. He represented Victoria three times.
During this season he also became the first Geelong player to reach 100 games. Rankin is also credited as being the first player in the league to touch the ball on the ground, rather than bouncing lieutenant
This happened during a wet game in the 1890s.
During his prime, Rankin declined offers to transfer to a number of other clubs. He was an advocate of amateurism, arguing against the emerging practice of player payments. Rankin married Louisa Johns in 1892.
After football, Rankin was employed as curator of Geelong College oval for 40 years, where memorial gates were erected in his honour, and at Corio Oval for about eight years.
