Alex Rance confident football won't hinder his family and religious priorities Jesse Hogan
The Age
June 23, 2015 Alex Rance's belief he can remain an AFL footballer while still being a good husband and a religious rolemodel were key factors in his decision to extend his tenure at Richmond by four years, rather than walk away completely as he had pondered.
While the 25-year-old confirmed his desire to travel the world, which was reported as one reason he contemplated giving up football, he said that was "secondary" to complying with his priorities as a Jehovah's Witness.
"My beliefs had a lot to do with it," Rance said on Monday morning, discussing the deal the Tigers disclosed on Saturday morning.
"If I thought that football was going to put me in a position where I might be perceived to be a bad role model or have negative values then I'd definitely step away. But at this point in time I feel like I can be a good role model. I've got good values, and my family does as well."
The now-elite key-defender said he had no qualms about signing a four-year deal instead of a shorter one - "I've got currency now. Why not?" - and explained he had done so because of his confidence he could ensure football would not dominate his life.
"In my mind, I can keep it as a job, and not so much as I've got to do anything to win ... be overly aggressive or anything like that, and put it in its place. As soon as I leave the club I can put it aside and enjoy the time with my wife (Georgia) and not stress about the anxieties of whether I played well or didn't ... because it does become all-encompassing at times.
"It's really about being able to switch off and make it a nine-to-five ... and then have your family time."
Rance praised those at Richmond, particularly coach Damien Hardwick and head of football Dan Richardson, for allowing him to reach his contract decision - he has agreed terms but is yet to formally sign - at a pace he was comfortable with. It came after protracted discussions with his manager, his wife and other family members.
"It was just building up the confidence to be able to pull the trigger," he said.
"It was tough, but I was pretty pumped with the way that 'Richo' and the club managed it and helped me through it. They were very supportive.
"The club's been fantastic, that they haven't put any pressure on me. I think if I started to feel pressure inside the four walls then it might have affected my form."
Rance said he had considered moving to a club in Perth, where his in-laws live, but had not done so seriously.
"When it came down to the crunch I knew that it was probably Richmond or nothing at all."
Rance doubted he would have taken a sabbatical from playing, such as a year-long stint, as a condition of signing a new deal, and would instead have been more likely to give up football completely.
"It's a pretty big decision to step away from the game so it wouldn't just be a bit of a freshen-up, it would be more for a complete lifestyle change," he said.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/alex-rance-confident-football-wont-hinder-his-family-and-religious-priorities-20150622-ghu8e1.html
