Locked in: Richmond premiership legend Alex Rance to play footy in WA

The motivation behind Richmond premiership defender Alex Rance’s shock footy return can be traced right back to his junior playing days.

Alex Rance is set to make a long-awaited return to the footy field. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond premiership star Alex Rance is locked in for his footy comeback in WA this year, pending border restrictions.

The five-time All-Australian will play back-to-back matches for Perth Football League C2-Grade outfit Swan Valley in rounds four and five, scheduled for May 1 and 8.

It will be a massive boost for the competition, which celebrates its centenary this year.

Rance played with Swan Valley coach David Ellard as a youth.

Ellard played 63 AFL games for Carlton. Picture: AAP

The 31-year-old has a link with the club through cousin and close mate David Ellard, who recently signed as playing-coach.

The Melbourne-based Rance is hopeful of playing the minimum amount of games required to qualify for finals, which is five in a full 18-round season.

He plans to make up the rest of the games later in the season.

Ellard, who played 63 AFL matches with Carlton to go with 38 in the WAFL, retired from Swan Districts at the end of 2019.

He returned to his junior club, adding a wealth of experience.

Fellow former WAFL player Mathew Aitchison has also signed in a playing and development coach role.

Ellard and Rance remain close and have long talked about playing together for the first time since their Swan Districts colts days more than a decade ago, when their super team won the 2007 premiership.

That team also featured Nic Naitanui, Michael Walters, Clancee Pearce, Lewis Jetta, Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran, thrashing Claremont by 64 points in the decider at Subiaco Oval.

Rance, one of the game’s greatest modern-day defenders, played the last of his 200 AFL games in the opening round of 2019 against Carlton, when he sustained a season-ending knee injury.

He announced his shock retirement in December that year and hasn’t played at any level since.

Rance has not played competitively since his serious injury in Round 1, 2019. Picture: AAP

The Perth Football League is planning to return to a full season after last year’s shortened nine-round competition due to coronavirus.

The opening round of the season is set for April 10, while the grand final days will be on September 4 (women’s), September 11 (B-E Grade) and September 18 (A Grade).

Rance won’t be the only big-name player running around this year with former Western Bulldogs defender Ryan Hargrave signing with Gosnells and ex-Essendon swingman Kyle Hardingham taking over as playing-coach at his junior club Bullcreek-Leeming.

Originally published as Locked in: Richmond premiership legend Alex Rance to play footy in WA