Tigers great Alex Rance opens up on his surprise VFL cameo with Essendon on Gold Coast
The speculation surrounding the return of Alex Rance to the field has been enormous. Find out how his comeback turned out and what’s next for the Tigers premiership player.
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Richmond premiership defender Alex Rance has declared his return to the footy field is “not a comeback”, describing his VFL cameo for Essendon as a “one-time thing”.
Rance lined up for the Bombers against the Southport Sharks in the VFL on the Gold Coast on Sunday as a top-up player, while he is enjoying a holiday in Queensland.
The Tigers 2017 premiership backman had 18 disposals — nine kicks, nine handballs, four marks and one tackle as the Bombers lost to Southport by four points.
But Rance, 31, was quick to dismiss any suggestion the return could lead to anything more after the match.
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In a social media post under the headline “This is not a comeback!”,Rance said the chance to play again was a “happy accident” and he was content with the balance now in his life with professional football no longer “dominating” his life.
“Playing for the Essendon VFL this weekend was simply a happy accident and a one-time thing,” Rance said in an Instagram post.
“I was visiting my family on the Gold Coast and with Covid restriction the VFL needed some fill ins.
“I will always be passionate about developing young athletes and it was a great opportunity to play with an alumni from The Academy Josh Eyre and our high performance manager and Essendon VFL high performance manager Jake Giannakis.
“I love the life balance I have now, with my priorities shifting and professional football not dominating my life.
“Thanks for the fun day, Essendon.”
Rance retired at the end of 2019 and his shock return for the Dons’ VFL team had prompted speculation the door had opened slightly on a potential comeback for the 200-game Tiger but was content with his “fun day” out with the Bombers.
The five-time All-Australian has maintained close contact with Essendon coach Ben Rutten since Rutten helped coach Rance to the 2017 premiership at Richmond.
Rance was joined in the Bombers’ VFL side by Sydney Swans’ reserves utility and former St Kilda No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin, who kicked 3.2.
Could Dons be about to pull off comeback coup?
Essendon could pull off a “comeback coup” with Alex Rance if the Bombers can help him rediscover the “football bug”, according to one footy great.
Rance will line up for the Bombers against Southport in a VFL match on the Gold Coast on Sunday as a top-up player, while he enjoys a holiday in Queensland.
There has been no commitment made that the 2017 Richmond premiership defender will play any more than one game, and Rance has not indicated a desire to return to the AFL since retiring at the end of 2019.
But former St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna said Essendon would be hopeful the VFL return could lead to something more for the 31-year-old.
“Surely Essendon are asking that question (about an AFL comeback),” Montagna said on Triple M radio.
“It’s a little bit cheeky because they’re thinking, ‘Come and help out, come and play a game’. But surely in the back of their mind they’re thinking, ‘If we can get him to get a little taste of the bug, just get a little bit of interest’. You never know. They could pull off the comeback coup.”
Comeback confirmed: Rance named for Dons
– Jay Clark
Richmond premiership hero Alex Rance has been named at centre half-back for Essendon’s VFL team in a shock return to football.
As News Corp revealed on Thursday, the former superstar backman will line up in red and black against Southport on Sunday on the Gold Coast, two years after his surprise retirement.
And in another twist, the five-time All-Australian and dual best-and-fairest winner will be joined in the Bombers’ VFL side by Sydney Swans’ reserves utility and former St Kilda No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin.
McCartin, who is desperate to reignite his career despite a string of serious concussions at the Saints, was named in a back pocket after making a move into defence for the Swans in his comeback from a striking charge.
Rance, 31, is on holiday up north and has maintained close contact with Essendon coach Ben Rutten since Rutten helped coach Rance to the 2017 premiership at Richmond.
The move has prompted speculation the door has opened slightly on a comeback for the 200-gamer.
But the Bombers expect it will be a one-off game for the premiership Tiger, thwarting any serious hopes Rance could consider nominating for the draft and make a return to the top level next year.
His return raised eyebrows across the league on Friday following inquiries from most clubs last season about whether Rance would consider playing again.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said although it would be great to see Rance back on the field, he joked it would be even better to see him in return in Richmond colours instead of the red and black.
“Wrong sash Alex. What’s he doing?” Hardwick said.
“He hasn’t played for an extended period, but he’s one of the greatest players I have ever seen play the game.
“Hopefully he goes OK. I just wish it was in our colours.”
Essendon football manager Josh Mahoney said the club was thrilled Rance, who Hawthorn champion Leigh Matthews said was the greatest defender of the modern era, had accepted the club’s invite to play.
“There was an opportunity for Alex to play a game in the VFL team to help out the side and some of the young players more than anything,” Mahoney said.
“We know he is up in Queensland on holiday and we asked the question if he would be interested in pulling the boots back on and he said he was keen.
“There are no expectations regards anything next year.
“As far as we are concerned it is a one-off game, but we have tremendous respect for Alex, the player he is and the standing he has in the game.
“Obviously Ben Rutten has a great relationship with him from their time at Richmond.
“So to have one of the best defenders in the game over the past decade line up alongside some of our emerging young players is exciting.
“More than anything, we hope Alex enjoys himself and the team can learn something from him.”
Hardwick said there was no doubt Rance had the physical capabilities to quickly adjust to the game after two years out.
He has played only one game at local level for Seymour since his last game in the AFL in Round 1 2019.
“He’s one of the more athletically gifted players I have ever seen play the game,” Hardwick said.
“If there was ever a person going to come back after a three-year lay-off, it might be Alex.
“What his mindset is, it is challenging, has he had some time to freshen up? I’ll back Alex in whatever way he goes to be honest.
“We’d all agree he did retire early, but we understand his reasons.”
Matthews said Rance was ahead of Geelong champion Matthew Scarlett in the discussion about the greatest defender of the modern era.
“Rance dominated the back 50m even more than Scarlett, and don’t get me wrong, Matty Scarlett was a fantastic full-back,” Matthews said.
“But just that ability to completely control that part of the ground, has put Rance to the top of the heap.”
The Bombers are likely to keep an eye on McCartin as the club looks to bolster its tall options at both ends of the ground in the post-season.
Michael Hurley has begun light training in his return form a serious blood infection which has wiped out his season.
DIMMA BACKS SHOCK RANCE COMEBACK
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said the Tigers were unaware of Alex Rance’s intentions but was adamant he had the physical capabilities to return to AFL after a lengthy break.
The retired premiership hero is considering making a shock comeback to football in Essendon’s VFL team this weekend.
The Bombers have been in talks with Rance, 31, about pulling the boots back on as a top-up player in their depleted reserves side to help their developing young players.
While Rance is yet to confirm his availability, the Bombers are hopeful he will run out in red and black against Southport on Sunday on the Gold Coast.
Hardwick said it was brilliant for the game to have Rance back at any level.
“I haven’t spoken to him for some time, I’m not sure. He’s one of the more athletically gifted players I have ever seen play the game,” Hardwick said on Friday.
“If there was ever a person going to come back after a three-year lay-off, it might be Alex.
“What his mindset is, it is challenging, has he had some time to freshen up?
“I’ll back Alex in whatever way he goes to be honest.”
Hardwick said there was no lingering disappointment over his decision to retire.
“He’s such an incredible player, I think we’d all agree he did retire early, but we understand his reasons,” Hardwick said.
“If he came back to the game it would be a good thing, the game would be better for it.
“The challenge is set, we’ll see how he goes on the weekend and how it transpires from there.”
In another twist, Sydney Swans reserves’ utility Paddy McCartin is also set to line-up for Essendon in the same game as the Swans have a bye.
McCartin, who was delisted by St Kilda after a series of serious concussion problems, wants to reignite his career at AFL level.
He could be on the radar of the Bombers for next season as they look to improve their big man stocks at both ends.
Rance’s relationship with coach Ben Rutten is a key factor for the premiership defender, who, at this stage, does not have any plans to enter the draft or rejoin AFL ranks next season.
Rather, Rance is currently holidaying in Queensland and has indicated a desire to suit up for the VFL team if it helps Rutten and some of their developing young players on a fill-in basis.
Essendon is aware Rance has no intention to make a comeback to AFL level through the draft or otherwise for 2022.
Regardless, it will be a major boost to the Bombers’ VFL team and a considerable thrill for the emerging young players who could line-up alongside him on Sunday.
Hardwick said tongue in cheek Rance had picked the wrong club.
“Wrong sash Alex. What’s he doing?” Hardwick said.
“He hasn’t played for an extended period, but he’s one of the greatest players I have ever seen play the game.
“Hopefully he goes OK. I just wish it was in our colours.”
Injuries to key players including veteran backman Michael Hurley have dealt a significant blow to Essendon’s depth, but the senior team has defied all odds this season slipping into the eight after an immensely successful draft and trade period.
The sight of Rance stepping out in the VFL will still fuel speculation about whether superstar defender could compete at the top level if he wanted to, after retiring suddenly in 2019.
McCartin, a No. 1 draft pick, has been swung into defence for the Swans since returning from suspension for striking Geelong VFL forward Aaron Black.
The out-of-the-blue call to step out for Essendon this weekend is one of the biggest shocks of the season which hangs by a thread due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and border closures.
Essendon has moved to Queensland and is based in Noosa in preparation for this weekend’s game against GWS Giants and next weekend against Sydney Swans.
Rance was one of the best players in the game when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the opening round of the 2019 season.
The five time All-Australian and dual best-and-fairest winner tried to make a comeback in time to bolster Richmond’s premiership tilt that season but fell short in his recovery and retired on 200 games.
There was speculation Rance would consider a return to AFL level after a short break but the former Tiger has been adamant he is happy in retirement.
He played for Seymour Lions in a game against Mansfield in the Goulburn Valley League in May and said he enjoyed playing alongside a close friend.
“I never thought I would really play anywhere but Ben Clifton (Seymour captain) is a good mate of mine and we thought we would have a kick together,” Rance said.
“It was more fun than anything else.”
If he does go through with the game on Sunday, all eyes will be on the gun centre half back in the match-up against Southport at Fankhauser Reserve.
It is certain to attract intrigue across the league and particularly at Richmond which gave Rance its full blessing to step away from the game in surprising circumstances when he was at the peak of his powers.
The Bombers have maintained close contact with Rance through Rutten, who coached the brilliant defender to the 2017 premiership before Rutten was poached by Essendon.
Rance has lauded the impact Rutten had on his career, helping the athletic rebounding backman transform into a cornerstone of the Tigers’ premiership defence.
Rutten has thrived in charge of the Bombers this season with top draftees Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid laying the foundation for a bright future which has helped secure the signatures of out-of-contract stars Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish and Jake Stringer.
Hurley went down on the eve of the season with a serious blood infection which has ruled the gun backman out for the entire season.
There are high hopes he will make a full recovery from the serious health issue in time for next season.
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