The other hypothetical question would be what if we play Rance and in the first final he does his knee again? We are then one man down for the game and the deflating effect that would have for the team in that game and the rest of the final series would be immense.... 
The only counter to that point is that if he is cleared by doctors to play then hypothetically that could happen to anyone who has been injured, we shouldn’t just react because it’s Rance and a knee reco.
The doctors clearing him to play is the only logical way to justify playing him.
If we look at Cotchin as a more extreme version of the above logic, does his third hamstring now rule him out for the entire season?
No matter how minor the hamstring tear, there is now a big risk that it reoccurs.
So, it’s up to the medicos, the match committee and then the player to decide whether he plays again this season.
My only other counter is that if the above happens and he does play, we are effectively one man up due to his extraordinary play and leadership.
He might just win us a final or a GF if he does play...
The problem with this is there is no exact science in ascertaining whether a knee reco is good to go or not. Medicos will almost always err on the side of caution in these cases as you can imagine the backlash if they say he is good to go and then nekminut does his knee....
You are write in saying there is no exact science but that has to work both ways.
Just because it takes someone longer to get over a knee doesn’t mean the greatest athlete in the AFL won’t be ready.
It’s worth the risk if it means potentially anther premiership- and I reckon Rance would say the same thing.
Don’t get me wrong, if he is not ready don’t play him but if he does all the training and gets past to play, then IMO he is ready.... and there is a risk in everything.
