Alex Rance may just be the best player in the competition.
It is an era in which midfielders dominate the individual awards and earn the recognition among their peers and coaches.
But this man is changing the discussion, and his brilliant exploits on the football field are no longer going unnoticed.
For the last four years, the man affectionally known as the ‘Trossman’, has patrolled the Tigers defence and been the pillar and strength of the Richmond Football Club.
It is not only his defensive efforts that draw discussion, but it’s Rance’s desperation and clean run out of defence which drop the jaw of any respectable football lover.
No fullback since Matthew Scarlett and Dustin Fletcher in this modern era have had so much impact for their team on both a defensive and offensive scale.
In Friday night’s win against arch rival Collingwood, Rance stood above all players on the ground. Sure, Dustin Martin was industrious and provided the grunt, Trent Cotchin was combative and fierce and Jack Riewoldt was dangerous and crafty around goal, but Rance was the true difference in the contest.
Even last week in Richmond’s capitulating loss to the Giants, Rance was arguably the best player on the ground and the final margin loss of 88 points would have most certainly have been doubled.
In this game, Rance recorded the sixth most intercept possessions (17) in a game of football ever recorded.
His influence and brilliance prompted Wayne Carey, arguably the greatest footballer and forward to grace a football field, to state that Rance could be the greatest defender we have ever seen.
Carey also believes he would have struggled to play against him and was grateful he did not play in the 1990s when Carey roamed the field.
This is a big statement from a man who was a two-time premiership captain, two time AFLPA MVP, seven time All-Australian and North Melbourne captain in their Team of the Century.
On a statistical viewpoint, his game was wonderful. Rance had 26 disposals, 11 contested, 8 marks, 9 rebounds, 7 one percenters and a whopping 75 per cent of his disposals were intercepts. He also kept his opponent Jesse White, non- existent.
What the statistics don’t show is his desperation, the little fingernails, toe pokes and presence.
In a critical moment in Friday night’s contest, Collingwood defender Marley Williams attempted to tap the ball through Rance’s legs. Rance stuck out his right foot, poked the ball back to himself, steadied himself and made a good decision with the ball in hand.
On the stats sheet this is merely one handball, but is a moment which makes you wonder where the Tigers would be without him.
Patrick Dangerfield is a superstar, as is Nat Fyfe, Lance Franklin and Gary Ablett, but Rance is arguably the most valuable player of the last decade.
Rance is a certainty to win three consecutive All-Australian honours and is a chance to win back to back Jack Dyer medals.
Finding a defender that doesn’t lose contests in the air or on the ground, and then can burst away and provide run and carry is rare.
The game is 70 per cent about defending and 30 per cent about attacking. The fact that star defenders are not looked at in the same vein as midfielders who have the same amount of impact is unjust.
Sure, winning the ball forward of centre is important but transition from defence can be the difference in a game of football.
No player is more organised defensively and offensively to transition the ball like Alex Rance and that makes him just as good as some of the elite midfielders in the competition.
The last true key position player to win a Brownlow medal was way back in 1992 when Scott Wynd took home Charlie, and the last player to win the AFLPA MVP award was Nick Riewoldt in 2004.
No one would be surprised if Rance breaks this mould and opens up a new avenue for key position players.
Rance’s decision to continue to play AFL at the end of 2014 was an inspired decision for both himself and the Richmond Football Club.
After flirting with the idea of retirement, Rance eventually put pen to a paper on a big money deal to stay at the Tigers and strive to lead the club into glory.
The Richmond Football Club would be breathing a sigh of relief at Rance’s long term commitment to the club.
For Richmond’s future, it must keep Rance happy.
Alex Rance is a defender that draws crowds and worry’s opposition and that is rare in the modern game.
Richmond fans count your blessing that you have Alex Rance.
mattyb
Guest
Don,to give an example one outside of WA would need to have actually watched a Dockers or multiple Dockers games and this doesn't occur which is what leads to such statements. No praise that even you yourself can give Mcpharlin is to high,the bloke was an out and out gun who I can't actually ever remember being beaten. Most talk regarding anything Fremantle or Eagles tends to bring out the insecurity in the Victorians especially.
Don Freo
Guest
Try giving an example of when he was ever beaten. You won't find one.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
"LukeyMac never beaten"?! What absolute tosh!
David C
Guest
Rance would rather retire than go to another club. He's untouchable anyway along with Dusty and Riewolt.
Rocko
Roar Guru
Definitely hyperbole to have Rance best in decade. He looks great as the others around him are completely useless!
me too
Guest
one ofthe best en players in the comp, and the best defender imo. but most valuable over the last decade? turn it up!
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
Don't get me wrong, Alex Rance is a very good player. But the praise is getting completely over the top, praise for simplistic things he does. A few weeks ago he simply spoiled the ball from a poor kick into the forward line you would expect any defender to deal with. It led to a 10 minute love in from the commentary team.
Don Freo
Guest
You'ĺl probably find that, with metres gained, he is the best ever. Intercept, rebound and attack was his go. Do think he was just a stopper?
Sammy
Guest
He is very good, but if i had a choice between Rance and Daniel Talia, I will keep Talia who almost every week beats his man and has done for a few seasons on the spin now.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Sure Raance is a great contested player and can do the spectacular at times, but if he's the best, or close to the best, player in the comp, why don't they play him somewhere he can do more damage, like CHF, more regularly?
Nick
Roar Pro
Luke McPharlin was a solid beckman but never really had an offensive impact on the game. That is what sets Rance and McPharlin apart.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
There is a lot of warranted praise for Rance. But he gets more attention than the other KPD because he plays for a Victorian team. I live in Melbourne, but support the Crows. Rance wasn't even the best defender on the weekend. Have a look at Talia's stats for the weekend - almost all of them were better than Rance.27 disposals at 96% efficiency, 11 of them contested (Rance was 84%). 12 score involvements (Rance was 4). 13 marks (Rance was 8). More dream team points. Sure, you are comparing a game against Brisbane - but Collingwood aren't exactly top draw either. Talia gets less goals kicked on him than Rance and is getting the same rebound/intercept numbers that Rance is this year that he hasn't in the past.
Ken
Guest
Great player at times, but unfortunately, he`ll never win a premiership...
Dan
Roar Rookie
Take those rose tinted glasses off. Alex Rance doesn't even stand the oppositions best forward most weeks. Hell, I'd nearly take Sam Gilbert from the saints over Rance and that's saying something. Rance's exploits have been puffed up by (mostly) Channel 7 commentators that think hes the messiah for the Tiges. His agenda and potential wage has been pushed up almost as far as a result. I pity the Tiger fanbase if they keep him, trade him out now whilst his potential is inflated and clubs desperate for any sort of backman come knocking. Trade him to Freo where he can spud it up with Zac - cue the Benny HIll music.
JohnDee
Guest
MVP of the last decade? He's not even the best defender of the last decade, I'd take Matty Scarlett over Rance any day of the week.
Don Freo
Guest
Maybe better than Fletcher and Scarlett (Fletcher should not be in the discussion). He has a long way to go before he reaches the consistency and marking reliability of McPharlin. LukeyMac was never beaten. Rance has off days.
mattyb
Guest
For all Richmond's perceived flaws the top end of their list is very good,and I think most agree they have a depth issue more than star issue. Riewoldt should also be considered one of the league's best. Is Rance one of the most valuable players in the league over the last ten years? I certainly would have to agree with that,a bold but fair call. Could probably even go a step further and say if Rance continues to do what he does,which I'm sure he will,he will probably go down as one of the greatest full backs of all time,he is easily the best full back of this era and certainly the best since Silvagni.
Kurt
Guest
Are we talking about Alex Rance, the guy who plays for Richmond - that Alex Rance?? I only ask because I thought maybe there was another Alex Rance playing in the AFL that the author is referring to who justifies the absurd level of hyperbole employed in this article. 'Arguably the most valuable player of the last decade'. Good grief.