Richmond close to clean bill of health for start of pre-season in ominous sign for flag rivals

In an ominous sign for Richmond’s flag rivals, the reigning premier will start pre-season with one of the AFL’s healthiest playing lists as it chases back-to-back flags for the first time in 46 years.

Rance’s season was ruined by a knee injury against Carlton in Round 1. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Richmond superstar Alex Rance has been whisked in for more surgery on the right knee that cost him premiership glory this season.

Rance, 30, went under the knife this month and the procedure will keep him off his legs for a week or two.

But fear not, Tiger fans – the arthroscopic clean-up was minor and the five-time All-Australian should barely miss a beat this pre-season.

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Rance’s season was ruined by a knee injury against Carlton in Round 1. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

In fact, the reigning premiers – who are still on holidays, with dual Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin living it up with Serena Williams in the Maldives – are humming along beautifully.

We didn’t know it, but this time last year Melbourne’s season was silently being sabotaged by a spate of surgeries.

Seventeen Demons were operated on and faced heavily restricted pre-seasons.

It was reported this year that 25 Dees completed a total of 22 pre-season sessions each, a significant drop from the 39 players who sweated through 33 summer workouts the previous year.

But aHerald Sun report into the health of all 18 clubs makes for scary reading for rivals hoping to catch the Tigers — who won their final 12 games of 2019 — in 2020.

Jack Graham had his gammy shoulder fixed up. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Shai Bolton also had his shoulder worked on. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Jack Graham and premiership half-forward Shai Bolton have both had shoulders operated on, although they’ll be fine for contact work come January and fit to play games by February.

Jack Higgins underwent more brain surgery in September on a non-football injury while Toby Nankervis had groin surgery after the Grand Final triumph.

Nankervis, 25, looms as the biggest worry and Essendon’s Joe Daniher might sympathise with a player suffering repeat groin problems.

But given the late-season emergence of young ruckman Ivan Soldo – who graduated from understudy to just about the main man – Nankervis’s availability isn’t as crucial as it once was.

And then there is Rance, who shapes as the recruit of the year. Forget Tim Kelly and Bradley Hill, this bloke is the backbone of Richmond’s backline and the defence will grow a leg when he runs out in Round 1 against Carlton.

Toby Nankervis had groin surgery post-Grand Final. Picture: Michael Klein

Jack Higgins is working on his comeback from brain surgery. Picture: AAP

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As you’d expect, most clubs are in good nick.

At Whitten Oval it is Aaron Naughton, Tom Liberatore (both knee) and Alex Keath (ankle) who won’t be right until January while Lachie Hunter’s shoulder reconstruction will have him on light duties for a while.

Down at Tullamarine there are still concerns over Daniher (groin), Orazio Fantasia’s hip will keep him out of full training until January while captain Dyson Heppell (foot) and Michael Hurley (shoulder) are also on the mend.

The Tigers are hunting back-to-back flags for the first time in 46 years.

Questions regarding their hunger for more success might surface, but from a fitness perspective they are set to start that quest strongly.

Originally published as Richmond close to clean bill of health for start of pre-season in ominous sign for flag rivals