VIDEO:
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/550574/gale-and-cotchin-on-rance-s-retirement?videoId=550574&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1576722743001Rance bombshell no surprise to TigersRebecca Williams, Jon Anderson and Michael Warner
Herald Sun
19 December 2019Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale says the Tigers are disappointed in Alex Rance’s decision to retire, but admits he was not totally surprised by the call.
In the biggest shock of the off-season, the champion defender delivered a bombshell this morning when he announced his retirement from the game – effective immediately.
Just as everyone at the club had been raving about how well the premiership star had been performing on the track in his return from a knee injury that forced him to miss this year’s premiership win, Gale said it was a decision that had weighed heavily on Rance for some time.
“It’s a heavy heart that Alex announced his retirement from the Richmond Football Club this morning,” Gale said.
“It’s a decision we were disappointed with, but it’s a life decision, it’s a decision that he has thought long and hard about.
“For Alex there has always been other priorities other than just football and we certainly respect that and we certainly supported him through that process hopeful that he may extend his career, but certainly respect the very strong decision that he has arrived at.
“It’s no secret this has been a continuum. This is a life decision and he has priorities outside of football and balancing those has vexed him ... but having said that during that time he has been a very good time and we have won premierships and it’s been managed.
“But I just think the last month since returning and hopping into pre-season that it has become more concentrated and there has been a sense of finality to his decision.”
Rance, a five-time All-Australian defender, has pulled the pin on his career to spend more time with his family and to travel overseas.
He informed his teammates on Thursday morning.
Rance, who played 200 AFL games and was a member of the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2017 premiership, said he achieved everything he wanted from the game.
“I am someone who will always give their best to what they commit to, and I’m proud of the time, energy and dedication that I’ve put towards my football career,” Rance said.
“Right now, I feel I have served my purpose in terms of my on-field performance and cultural impact, and I’m so grateful to the football club for their support and care in allowing me to do that in my own unique way.
“Now I feel is the right time for me to put the same time and energy into other areas of my life that need it, and to prioritise the more important things to me, such as my spiritual growth, my family and friends.”
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin acknowledged it was a decision Rance has been wrestling with for some time but respected his call to put his life away from football first.
“I think it has been part of the conversation for a little bit of time, but I think as a collective as a club it would be a little bit of a surprise,” Cotchin said.
“It’s probably just something that he has been wrestling with internally, he obviously had some people that he loves and cares about around him that have been incredible supporters for him and at the end of the day this is the conclusion that he came to.
“To me footy is just a game, I know a lot of people see it as a business and spots on lists and so forth but to me it is all about the health of a person whether it be mentally, physically, both, spiritually, you need to be at your best so you can give your best and that’s what we hope Rancey can find in the near future.”
Cotchin said the retirement of Rance would leave a huge hole at the Tigers but knowing the team was able to win a flag without him would help ease the pain.
“I like to think that a lot of the behaviours he has lived by for his lengthy career will live on through others that he has nurtured and been a big part of their careers,” he said.
“We have full faith in some of our young and up and coming players that will hopefully get an opportunity to fill the void.
“There is a little bit of sadness there bit even ‘Dimma’ (coach Damien Hardwick) spoke about it this morning, I think it’s an opportunity for others.
“There is a hole there much like last year when he went down with a knee injury for other guys to grow and flourish and give themselves a chance.”
Rance was training with the Tigers as recently as Tuesday when the AFL and AFLW teams trained together at Punt Road.
Fellow defender Dylan Grimes said Rance was fit and moving well on the track with his teammates close to re-joining the main group.
Asked if his disappointment in Rance’s decision had to do with the late timing of it just days away from the Christmas break after the completion of the trade and draft periods, Gale said it was more a selfish one to be losing a player of his quality.
“It’s just that he is a really good player. It’s a fiercely competitive caper and you want the best players available on the park more often than not,” Gale said.
“We were all eagerly anticipating Alex’s return, he had been training very very well and I thought that he was going to make an immediate impact won our team and that’s not going to be the case.
“Call it a selfish disappointment, that’s what it was. But I’m not surprised, these things have weighed heavily on him and most importantly as I stand before you today I am extremely grateful and thankful that I got to watch him play.”
Rance departs with two years to run on his lucrative contract, which Gale said the Tigers would be “amended”.
Gale said Rance departed as one of the “finest” players to have played at the club, saying he leave big shoes to fill.
“He has been a remarkable player for this football club. He is a remarkable, talented, combative assertive leader that is all in,” Gale said.
“He is 150 per cent type player and highly decorated and is a premiership player and we are extremely thankful that he has been a Richmond man.
“He is certainly one of the finest defenders of the modern era.”
The 30-year-old has made no secret of his desire to explore options away from football.
The Jehovah’s Witness almost quit AFL in 2015 in what he described as a “conflict” between football and his faith.
“Yeah (it has occurred to me since 2015) — it’s constantly occurring to me,” Rance said of retirement two years ago.
Rance pushed hard to make it back for last year’s finals but said he would never have forgiven himself if he went down and cost his team the chance to win.
The Tigers are favourites to go back-to-back next year but Rance has foregone the chance to a have a crack at another AFL flag with his announcement.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-defender-alex-rance-announces-shock-afl-retirement/news-story/3d0de16e737ec8d4638df20bd004143f
