Retiring Richmond star Alex Rance’s 10 best games, as ranked by Champion Data
Richmond defender Alex Rance has called time on a decorated career which spanned 200 games in the yellow and black. These are his 10 best games for the Tigers, as ranked by Champion Data.
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In a career which spanned 200 games and was headlined by a premiership and five consecutive All-Australian blazers, Alex Rance gave Richmond fans plenty of memories to savour.
From his involvement in the drought-breaking premiership to his breakout games as a 21-year-old in 2011, Rance established himself as one of the key defenders of the modern era.
These are his best 10 individual performances, as rated by Champion Data.
Round 2, 2015: 156 ranking points v Western Bulldogs
Rance had 28 disposals (11 contested) and reeled in 13 marks in a 19-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
How we reported it: If the Tiges didn’t have Alex Rance they might have lost by 10 goals. The out-of-contract defender gave Tom Boyd the sort of hiding that shatters the confidence of young players. Rance not only annihilated Boyd, he wreaked havoc charging off halfback. With 28 possessions and 13 marks, he couldn’t have done much more yesterday, except perhaps name his price. — Sam Edmund
Round 15, 2015: 155 ranking points v Carlton
Rance hauled in eight marks, had 10 one per centres and 22 possessions as Richmond led at every change in a 30-point win over the Blues.
How we reported it: Rance was the dominant figure on the ground with 18 first-half possessions, torching Henderson. Rance looked unbeatable in one-on-one contests and in the third term had to be dragged back to the goalsquare by Henderson in an attempt to curb the star Tiger’s impact — Jay Clark
Round 17, 2013: 148 ranking points v Fremantle
The Tigers defender had 30 possessions, five tackles, five rebound-50s and 16 marks in a herculean performance against the Dockers. Fremantle’s key forwards had little impact as Richmond scored a 27-point victory.
How we reported it: Was this 27-point victory, achieved through the defensive brilliance of Alex Rance and the heroics of Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, the scalp Richmond needed? Who really cares? Not the Richmond fans still roaring out the ‘‘yellow and black’’ refrain from their theme song half an hour after the victory.
Round 4, 2016: 146 ranking points v West Coast
West Coast crushed the Tigers by 68 points and you dread to think what the damage would have been if not for Rance. He had 11 marks and 26 disposals in the heavy defeat.
Round 19, 2016: 145 ranking points v GWS Giants
Greater Western Sydney handed Richmond an 88-point drubbing in a game largely played in the Tigers’ defensive half at Manuka Oval. The damage was largely done by the Giants’ mid-sized forwards as Rance contributed 26 disposals, nine marks (including five contested) and 17 intercepts.
How we reported it: While Dustin Martin led the team statistics with 28 disposals and six tackles, Alex Rance was the only other Tiger who could walk off the field content with his game — Neil Cordy.
Round 17, 2011: 135 ranking points v Gold Coast
A 21-year-old Rance was a shining light in a shock loss for the Tigers with 25 possessions and nine one-percenters.
Round 21, 2011: 132 ranking points v Sydney
The Tigers surged clear of the Swans in the second half and Rance was a key architect, tallying six marks and 24 possessions. Most importantly, he blanketed Adam Goodes after the Brownlow medallist put on a clinic the week before.
How we reported it: Campbell is clearly a genius because Rance played one of the best games of his career, limiting Goodes to one goal and collecting an impressive 24 possessions. While Trent Cotchin and Bachar Houli were prolific for the Tigers, the fact Goodes was a non-factor for Sydney was massive in determining the result — Scott Gullan.
Round 9, 2013: 128 ranking points v Essendon
The Bombers led at every change on their way to a 29-point win but Rance was a standout with eight marks and 19 possessions.
Round 2, 2012: 127 ranking points v Collingwood
Rance had a career-high 34 disposals and took 17 marks in a game Collingwood won by 21 points, surviving a last-quarter fightback from the Tigers.
How we reported it: Harry O’Brien had 10 rebound 50s and played with his customary bounce, Swan and Pendlebury finished with a lazy 61 disposals between them and Cloke worked up the ground, pumping it inside the arc nine times despite the best efforts of Alex Rance.
Round 21, 2016: 126 ranking points v Geelong
The Cats were victorious in a thriller by four points despite kicking 10.22 to 12.6. Rance did his best to hold Geelong at bay with 20 possessions and nine marks.
How we reported it: With Tom Hawkins being destroyed by Alex Rance, Chris Scott swung Harry Taylor and then Lachie Henderson forward in a final roll of the dice — Sam Edmund