Alex Rance

[Eat the rich]

Reid absolutely smashed him 3 weeks ago.

Reid had a hot 15 minutes where he took 3 good grabs and kicked a goal or two, not all of it directly on Rance. The Swans were on top at the time and the ball coming in fast and often. The rest of the game he was very quiet and I'd hardly describe the game overall as an absolute smashing.

Fair play Disco. These observations shouldn't be made in isolation to the rest of the game. The game is certainly weighted against backmen these days, you almost have to be a flawless footballer to

avoid having goals kicked on you, and Alex certainly isn't that, but he is working at it, and he is improving. In the mean time, he needs the continued improvement and support of his team mates,

and Richmond supporters. Good article on developing and playing the game of a backman by Steve Silvagni :http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/14587/default.aspx

 

[rokin.tiger]

Fair play Disco. These observations shouldn't be made in isolation to the rest of the game. The game is certainly weighted against backmen these days, you almost have to be a flawless footballer to

avoid having goals kicked on you, and Alex certainly isn't that, but he is working at it, and he is improving. In the mean time, he needs the continued improvement and support of his team mates,

and Richmond supporters. Good article on developing and playing the game of a backman by Steve Silvagni :http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/14587/default.aspx

Really enjoyed that read ETR... inspirational for anyone in any field putting it into context.
There's not too many blokes like that running around in footy jumpers these days...
geez i wish i had rance and mcguanes email addresses, they're two blokes id love to forward that onto

 

[dimmauchump]

Reckon Rance is the least of our worries. Has made genuine improvement this year. While he still suffers from some Gaspar brain fades, he seems to be growing into the gorilla full back we need. Has the strength to combat the big boys, just needs to work on decision making. Compared to last year in which he was totally useless and couldn't find a position, has come a long way. Mcguane is the weakest link down back at the moment.

 

[tigerdave]

He'd go alright at Rugby i reckon...

 

[premiers2011]

I agree with the first part ToO and I know he's only had one game but the Goo isnt up to it. He's our weaket link

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

Reckon Rance is the least of our worries. Has made genuine improvement this year. While he still suffers from some Gaspar brain fades, he seems to be growing into the gorilla full back we need. Has the strength to combat the big boys, just needs to work on decision making. Compared to last year in which he was totally useless and couldn't find a position, has come a long way. Mcguane is the weakest link down back at the moment.

In fairness to Gaspar, he didn't suffer brain fades, he just couldn't kick. However, he was a very effective stopper, which is an area that Alex needs to improve in.

Gas used his body cleverly, given he was often undersized when playing on bigger blokes, generally kept his feet and was pretty good one on one....this is an area Rance needs to improve in, rather than give away silly free kicks as he can be prone to do.

We did very well out of Gaspar.

 

[bullus_hit]

Heck, for the amount flack Gaspar cops on this site I reckon he'd be in the running for the most decorated whipping boy to wear the black and gold - dual All - Australian and B&F winner in our last finals appearance. Granted he had an awkward kicking style but he was generally quite effective and was a top notch contested mark. Probably our best full-back in the last thirty years (apologies to Scott Turner fans) and he basically cost us nothing in the way of draft picks.

 

[Joe Lynn Turnip]

He'd go alright at Rugby i reckon...

Be handy in the line-outs in Union, looks a bit too gangly for either Rugby code otherwise.

 

[Baloo]

Heck, for the amount flack Gaspar cops on this site I reckon he'd be in the running for the most decorated whipping boy to wear the black and gold - dual All - Australian and B&F winner in our last finals appearance. Granted he had an awkward kicking style but he was generally quite effective and was a top notch contested mark. Probably our best full-back in the last thirty years (apologies to Scott Turner fans) and he basically cost us nothing in the way of draft picks.

Close second to Joel Bowden I reckon.

 

[tha8ball]

I like rance. I like him a lot. He took a very nice solid overhead contested mark on the weekend which was something I hadn't really seen in his game. As everyone has stated - Needs help desperately.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

Heck, for the amount flack Gaspar cops on this site I reckon he'd be in the running for the most decorated whipping boy to wear the black and gold - dual All - Australian and B&F winner in our last finals appearance. Granted he had an awkward kicking style but he was generally quite effective and was a top notch contested mark. Probably our best full-back in the last thirty years (apologies to Scott Turner fans) and he basically cost us nothing in the way of draft picks.

Agreed.

Up until he went down with a knee injury in 2002(?), we got great service out of Gaspar. Given Turner was effectively finished in 1996, Gaspar held our backline together until Andy Kellaway came along and later Bowden played down there to give him some support.

Granted his type of player would probably struggle in today's football given the need for good skills all over the ground, but dual All Australians don't grow on trees.

Very underrated around these parts.

 

[tigerdave]

Be handy in the line-outs in Union, looks a bit too gangly for either Rugby code otherwise.

He'd have the body strength to cope i reckon.

He's stood up really well this year imo....

 

[Streak]

Heck, for the amount flack Gaspar cops on this site I reckon he'd be in the running for the most decorated whipping boy to wear the black and gold - dual All - Australian and B&F winner in our last finals appearance. Granted he had an awkward kicking style but he was generally quite effective and was a top notch contested mark. Probably our best full-back in the last thirty years (apologies to Scott Turner fans) and he basically cost us nothing in the way of draft picks.

One thing he never gets credit for IMO, Gaspar always went when it was his turn. He never ever shirked it when it was his turn. He always tried to make a contest no matter how hopeless the situation. I am amazed these days at how often you will see a player give up trying to make a contest and escape criticism.

 

[Tenacious]

Be handy in the line-outs in Union, looks a bit too gangly for either Rugby code otherwise.

Nah. He's got a neck.

 

[Collo]

If Rance goes to another level next year than he is in our future but if this is the best he gets he won't be in our side in 2014... unless we are still down in the dumps.... His improvement has been great this year but his level that he is playing at won't be enough 3 years down the track. I'm not saying he will or won't make it but next year will tell us if he is a player or not.

 

[gustiger12]

I like rance. I like him a lot. He took a very nice solid overhead contested mark on the weekend which was something I hadn't really seen in his game. As everyone has stated - Needs help desperately.

This is spot on 8balls. Rance has gone from a bit player tyring to find his way to almost a lone hand down back now with the loss of Moore and Grimes and to a lesser extent Astbury. He's been forced to shoulder a fair load for a 2nd year player, but this has probably had a lot to do with his development this year.

Rance will be much better when we have another couple of KPD's to provide support. What I do like about RANCE is that he tries to create run and carry from the backline, which hasn't happened at tigerland for a while from a KPD. I for one was worried about RANCE last year, but have been very impressed by his performance this year. He'll never die wondering, and I've seen it at the end of a couple of games and he has been absolutely spent.

He should be very good as our 2nd or 3rd tall defender, but is definitely capable of holding down FB if he continues to develop at this rate.

Yep he still has some off games, but he is a second year player, or is it 3rd, but he has come along pretty well, given where he was at last year.

 

[Elmer]

almost a lone hand down back now with the loss of Moore ...

Really suprised how little has been made of Moore's season absence. Big loss especially given the new meat Houli, Grigg/Conca, Batch, Grimes etc down back.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

From what i have heard, i wouldn't be pinning my hopes on seeing Moore back to bolster the backline again.

 

[B1 and B2]

I think it's time we move Rance in the middle, as the ball needs to get out of our backline.

B2

 

[grumpytiger]

took some strong overhead marks today. Thought he stood up. Not much he could do with the ball flying in like it did. Rance is a positive