Adelaide Crows’ Izak Rankine was hit with a four-game suspension by the Match Review Officer after his bump on Brisbane Lions defender Brandon Starcevich on Sunday.

And Leigh Matthews said it’s the “classic example” of why the AFL should have a send-off rule in place.

“Surely the AFL hierarchy, they must ask the question of themselves surely,” Matthews said.

Press PLAY to hear more of his comments on why the send-off rule should be in place 

Image (Rankine): Russell Freeman/Getty