Adelaide's dynamo added to his highlight reel with a spectacular late goal to steal the lead over the Western Bulldogs.
But the Dogs stole it right back for a six-point win -- 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88) -- at Adelaide Oval that coach Luke Beveridge rated full of integrity.
His Adelaide counterpart, Matthew Nicks, was left ruing how a Rankine-capped burst of five goals in 10 minutes couldn't steal the win.
"It's great to get him back out there," Nicks said of Rankine's first game since serving a four-match ban for a homophobic slur.
"I think he'd be the first one to say it wasn't necessarily his best.
"But what do you expect from a guy who hasn't played footy for so long?"
Rankine had a touch of the fumbles in his 16-disposal return, before his late strike lifted the Crows.
"He had a few real key moments, which is typical Izak," Nicks said.
"He can do stuff that a lot of guys can't. And he'll be better for the run.
"It was nice to see him back out there, in amongst the group. He has been been leading off-field, so it was a chance for him to get on-field and get amongst it."
Adelaide's prized recruit Callum Ah Chee sufferied another hamstring injury and faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Ah Chee initially hurt the same hamstring playing for Western Australia against Victoria in State of Origin.
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