GOLD Coast fans will have to wait until next year to get their first glimpse at draftee Izak Rankine in the AFL.

Coach Stuart Dew admitted the temptation was strong to hand Rankine a debut against GWS on Saturday following the 19-year-old's return from serious injury.

Rankine played just his second NEAFL game of the year last Saturday, finishing with 14 touches and nine tackles in limited minutes.

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The highly talented South Australian has just overcome a hip injury that kept him on the sidelines for six weeks, which followed a long-term hamstring problem suffered in the JLT Community Series.

"He'll be a discussion," Dew said prior to Thursday night's main training session.

"We're part excited but part (using) commonsense.

"We'll have to discuss with all parties and see where we land.

"It's really tempting; his attitude has been fantastic.

"But we don't want to get seduced by that and look at all the facts, and can he get through a full game of football and contribute?"

Despite the injury setbacks, Rankine has settled as quick as any of Gold Coast's draftees, signing a two-year contract extension mid-season.

The club's biggest out-of-contract name – Jack Martin – might struggle to get up to play the Giants after suffering a knee injury in the NEAFL two weeks ago.

Dew said the main training session would also determine his fate.

Gold Coast enters the match on the back of 17 straight losses and faces an opponent already assured of a spot in the finals.

"They'll be looking to get into some form before finals," Dew said.

"It's another home game, we want to play well.

"It (a win) would be great for the spirit and morale, and (give us a) tiny bit of momentum (into the off-season)."

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