[flexcoders] Filtering Function Question

[Mark Forsberg]

I have the following code that I'm trying to use to filter an 
arrayCollection.

public function filterDocuments(item:Object):Boolean{
                   var myGroup:int = ddl_reportGroup.selectedItem.data;
                   if(myGroup == 45 && item.rank_value == 1){
                      return true;      
                   }else return item.group_key == 
ddl_reportGroup.selectedItem.data;
             }
The else section of the filter is working fine. However, it appears 
that the item.rank_value in the if section is not being recognized. Am 
I able to access the item in the first part of the if statement?

Essentially if myGroup == 45 and the rank_value of the item currently 
being looped through = 1 then I want to see it. 
    
Thanks for the help.

New to Flex, but really liking it.

Mark F.