Damien Hardwick slams online trolls over Alex Rance retirement rumours

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has lashed out at online rumours about retired champion Alex Rance, and says there is a spot on the list if the star defender changes his mind.

Alex Rance announced his AFL retirement last month. Picture: Getty Images

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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has slammed “weak” keyboard warriors for smearing Alex Rance following his sudden AFL retirement.

Speaking for the first time about Rance’s departure, Hardwick said there was “nothing sinister” in the premiership defender’s decision to walk away the game last month with two years still to run on his contract.

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“That’s what people do, I think they sit there and they hide behind keyboards and it’s weak. It’s incredibly weak and it’s incredibly disappointing from my point of view,” Hardwick said.

“There’s no truth to it, there’s nothing to it. This man is a man who’s been devoted to his family and his faith for a long period of time and there’s nothing more sinister than that.”

Hardwick said the door was open for Rance to return but wants what’s best for him, sharing the sentiments of premiership defender Bachar Houli who on Thursday said he “prayed” his former teammate will return to footy.

Damien Hardwick is hopeful retired defender Alex Rance will change his mind but isn’t planning on it. Picture: Michael Klein

Rance, 30, remains on Richmond’s list but Hardwick isn’t planning on him pulling on the yellow and black jumper this year.

“At this stage he’s retired in our plans, but plans can change,” Hardwick said.

“My more important thing is to make sure Alex is happy in his journey in life.

“Alex’s always been an incredible player for us, but his family and his faith have always been at the forefront of his mind. Whatever makes Alex happy, makes us happy.

“Is the door ajar? Probably it is but the ball is in Alex’s court from that point of view.”

Hardwick said his players preferred to acknowledge Rance’s achievements in private as he addressed the lack of social media tributes from them after the five-time All-Australian announced his retirement.

“I know we probably copped a little bit of flak with regard to that but it’s not how our club operates. We tend to leave the phones at home and the phones where they are,” he said.

“The more and more we hug, we love – all that sort of stuff is very much a part of us.

“(Rance) knows exactly how we feel about him, how important he is to the fabric of our organisation. So he’ll be heavily missed, not only as a football player, but as a person.”

Hardwick said he wasn’t caught off-guard by Rance’s early retirement despite most being shocked by the decision.

“We probably thought it may come to this at some stage – and it has,” Hardwick said.

“We would’ve liked to have got a couple of years out of him, but once again Alex’s happiness is at forefront of our mind.”

Originally published as Damien Hardwick slams online trolls over Alex Rance retirement rumours