Alex Rance named All-Australian captain at full-back, Paddy Ryder wins ruck battle
HE may not be captain at Richmond, but Alex Rance has been named skipper of the best of the best for 2017. Was it the right call by the All-Australian selectors? SEE THE TEAM
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ALEX Rance’s stellar season in defence has been rewarded with All-Australian captaincy.
The Richmond star last night won his fourth-straight team of the year nod and became the first non-club captain to lead the side since Andrew McLeod in 2007.
West Coast goalkicker Josh Kennedy was named as his deputy.
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In typically dry style, Rance said he had an early inkling of the honour when he inspected his team blazer after being named in the team’s backline earlier in the evening.
“(Being named captain) is bit embarrassing, to be totally honest,” Rance said of the honour.
“I found out pretty early on in the night because I had a look at my jacket and it had the C on it.
“I was trying to work out what I was going to say – something really eloquent and poetic but I just really didn’t have anything.
“Standing in front of Buddy Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Joel Selwood … these are guys who are true champions of the game and I’m sort of just making up the numbers. It’s pretty amazing to be named captain ahead of those guys.”
He said he has always harboured leadership ambitions, and was named co-vice-captain of Richmond earlier this year.
“I’ve always loved being able to try and draw something else out of other people, whether that’s in the locker rooms sliding with soap on the floor to make them laugh and get a bit of team camaraderie going, or whether it’s to act in a big moment in a game,” he said.
“I’ve really valued those moments and I will always remember those.”
The team included 12 first-time inclusions, with 12 clubs represented among the 22-man group.
Eight players of the 22 retained their position from last season, with Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin - who kicked 69 goals this season - was named at centre-half forward for his seventh All-Australian selection.
It is the most number of selections of any player in the team and puts Franklin tied for second for the most number of selections ever, behind only Robert Harvey, Mark Ricciuto and Gary Ablett Jnr on eight.
Paddy Ryder’s year was also recognised, with the Power tall winning ruck honours having averaged 37 hitouts per game this season.
Franklin said that the thrill and pride of being nominated for the team does not wear off - even after seven times.
“I’m very excited,” he said.
“To get named in the All-Australian (team) any time in your career is a great achievement, and I’m very happy to be named again.”
Rance played every game this season.
Earlier this month, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lauded Rance as “the best defender I’ve seen in 20 years of AFL footy”, while Essendon great Dustin Fletcher declared the Tiger as among the best defenders of all-time.
The selection panel for the team was comprised of league boss Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Andrew Dillon, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.
Bartlett said this year that Rance must be considered among the likes of Stephen Silvagni, David Dench, Geoff Southby and Matthew Scarlett as one of the great backman of history.
Rance’s teammate and shortest-ever Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin was — as expected — rewarded with selection, just 24 hours after he returned to Melbourne following his whirlwind trip to New Zealand to discuss his playing future with his father Shane.
Star Giants midfielder Josh Kelly won his first selection as his contract saga remains ongoing, while premiership favourite Adelaide had three players selected.
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood – who faces a race against time to play against Richmond next Friday night - earned his sixth selection, named on the interchange.
Read more: Harvey and Fletcher to light up footy field in EJ Whitten Legends Game
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