Alex Rance [merged]

[WilliamPowell]

OMG - we've quietly re-signed a player without it playing out in the media

Terrible effort there Tiges 

[one-eyed]

Confirmed on the RFC site...

“We are really pleased with the in-roads Alex has made this season.  He’s worked hard to become an integral part of our defence, and has shouldered the extra responsibility placed on him extremely well,” said Richmond’s General Manager of Football, Craig Cameron.

“Off the field, Alex is one of those extroverted characters you like having around a club and, on-field, we believe he still has a fair bit more development in him.

“We look forward to watching his progress in the coming years.”

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/122022/default.aspx

[mightytiges]

Our No.1 defender by a mile now. His composure and strong defensive marking has improved out of sight. He seems more confident in his own ability and judgement of the incoming flight of the ball to know when to go for marks which gives us back possession rather than even earlier this season when he always just went the spoil which only created a 50/50 contest. Key defenders who can turn defence into attack are very important in the modern game.

[one-eyed]

Relentless Rance
By Adrian Ceddia
richmondfc.com.au
Mon 02 Jan, 2012

The following article was featured in the 2011 Fighting Tiger Yearbook.


From the moment he walked through the doors at Punt Road at the end of 2007, Alex Rance has been a football department favourite.

He is a larrikin, a prankster and a master impressionist, but is also one of the hardest workers on the training track, and a fine example to those around him.

On the field, in his first few seasons, Rance was shuffled around in different positions, never really nailing down a single spot on the field.

His courage and attack on the football were never questioned, nor was his application to getting the best out of himself physically.

But in his third season, in 2010, Rance played just 10 games, including stints at Richmond’s VFL affiliate Coburg.

Less than 12 months on, Rance has become Mr Dependable at Tigerland.

Read more and the full article at: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/127510/default.aspx

[WA Tiger]

Yes, another player written off too early by some, I thougt he would improve and again this is one player I supported as making it, just based on his size. He has ironed out the floors in jis game and its great to see.

He needs to back up last year now!!!

[Mr Magic]

Had a much improved season.
Hopefully builds on it again in 2012 to become one of the game's best defenders.
Still has a ways to go.

[one-eyed]

Rance the redeemer
Tue 03 Jan, 2012

RICHMOND assistant coach Justin Leppitsch admits the marked improvement of key defender Alex Rance surprised the match committee in 2011.

Rance played just 10 games in 2010, being omitted twice, and entering the final year of his contract in 2011 looked in danger of being thrown on the scrapheap.

Instead, Rance missed just three games (due to suspension), locking down the club's key defensive role and earning a two-year contract extension in August.

"He probably caught the match committee by surprise a bit this year, by the amount he actually improved," Leppitsch said.

"He was able to hold down the key defensive post this season, showing fantastic leadership within his role.

"We expect him to be a long-term key position prospect at Richmond."

Rance also finished equal sixth in the Tigers' best and fairest, winning the Most Improved Player Award and the Francis Bourke Award (for most courageous) after averaging 18 disposals and leading the club in one-percenters.

Rance said he was humbled by the honours.

"It was a massive year for a lot of guys, like Ty Vickery and Dylan Grimes, to name a few, who have been big improvers," Rance said.

"It's a big honour to mentioned alongside those guys.  It was a developing year for me, and I'm just looking forward to bigger and better things in 2012."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/127657/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

By the way there's an interesting point in the West Australian about Rance's progress compared to that of his WA 2008 draft peers:

Drafted on the back of a solid performance in the 2007 WA under-18 championship side featuring first-round picks such as Chris Masten, Rhys Palmer, Cale Morton and David Myers, Rance has been the first of the side to truly find consistency in the AFL.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12483525/rance-key-to-tiger-plans/

[one-eyed]

Alex Rance interview after the run along the Tan.

Video [3.26 min]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=QmdU4dq0UC0


Summary


* Arizona was a nice experiment for us and see if we can stick it with the big dogs. We got some good intellectual property from a few good companies over there. See the college facilities and see our redevelopment is as good if not better than theirs. So it gives us a really good confidence boost in our facilities. Know we can travel that long distance and still perform and train really well.

* We already had a good base (good engines before going over there). The camp wouldn't have changed a whole lot but it was definitely a good experience. A change of climate and atmosphere. So it was good and beneficial from that perspective but we were already a strong running group and it was a matter of translating that on-field.

* Houli - just good to see someone who has been in the system for a while and given a second chance find more gears. He performed well and finished top 5 in our B&F so it's a real positive sign that he's prepared to go that extra step again even though he came up with the goods last year. A real positive.

* Rance didn't do the Tan run. He along with some of the other boys did 4 x 500m time trials instead. A new thing the Club is trying out for the bigger boys and it's still pretty tough. The key is more burst speed than the Tan which is steady state so the 4 x 500m time trials are more position specific. 

* Kingy is coming along well after the knock to his knee in the IR series. He did the time trial on the grass at Punt Rd so 'push-up' had it easy.

* Jack Riewoldt is a good character around the Tan usually commentating for the first 800m so his personality was missed. But he is tracking really well. Start some transition work pretty soon and should be ready for a couple of practice matches before round 1.

* Himself - just about building upon last year. Rance said he's still learning so much and he knows he's got a little bit of a way to go yet. If he can take the steps of a Bachar Houli (work to improve again). It's indicative of the group really - eager to learn. This year no jumpers are going to be given out easily. Everyone is going to have to fight for their own.

* Team goals - everyone wants to play finals so you're not in it to sit around in the bottom 8. So that's definitely something we are going to be looking at. Really fighting and honing that gameplan we've got and have a strong belief in. It's coming down to the discipline to stick to it now. Yeah we're definitely looking to sticking in the top 8.

[The Big Richo]

* Jack Riewoldt is a good character around the Tan usually commentating for the first 800m

Bloke is a flog. 

[Dubstep Dookie]

* Jack Riewoldt is a good character around the Tan usually commentating for the first 800m

Bloke is a flog. 

I'd almost turn for Jack

[The Big Richo]

SWM seeks similar.

[Owl]

lol

[WilliamPowell]

Burning Question No. 3: Alex Rance

By Tony Greenberg
12:54 PM Wed 08 Feb, 2012

In the countdown to bouncedown season 2011, Tony Greenberg continues his examination on richmondf.com.au of the burning questions on the lips of the Yellow and Black faithful.  Today he ponders . . .

Is Alex Rance the real deal?

Full article at:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/128714/default.aspx

[tony_montana]

i say yes definitely

but this year will answer it once and for all, barring injury, he needs to build on last seasons improvement to become a deadset longterm lock as a KPD. If he goes backwards then we're stuffed