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Alex Rance
- Thread starter Tigers of Old
- Start date
Yeah commented on it on one of the other threads. Is becoming a monster and should be able to hold his own with the Gorilla's this yearTigers of Old said:
tigerjoe said:
Considering 20 months ago he was ready for the scrap heap, he has done a remarkable job turning himself into a very solid & reliable defender. But he does need support.
That hawthorn preseason game last year looked like he was gone for good.
Who said we can't develop?? ;D
Being able to handle the gorillas is more than having size . One on one wrestling is still a relatively weak part of Alex's game , as it is with all our young key backs . They rely on being able to go to the contest and use their athleticism to spoil .gustiger12 said:
I am sure they are working on it and getting bigger is certainly part of it . Have a look at Astbury as well , he is huge in the upper body now .
Barnzy said:
Agree.
Size has never been a problem with Rancealot.
Now if we can only beef up Edwards. :-\
Barnzy said:
Disagree, his hind legs appear to have shrunk and he's lost a bit of definition in the arms, his eyes are also looking more bulbous but I hear he's worked really hard on his leap.
has his kicking improved? I dont get to see as many games as i used to. I remember in his first yr or 2 he was a prone to the odd clanger and decision making wasn't the best. No doubt he has improved out of sight but what has been his biggest improvment? is his disposal? Decision making? courage has never been questioned, thats for sure.
I admit I was one that thought Alex wasn't going to make it this time last year but I really liked the way he played the 2nd of half of this year. I really hope Alex is going to become a top line full back for the next 10 years.
It is interesting that both Jack and Rance took a big step forward in their 4th year, it goes to show the bigger blokes take longer to develop. Hopefully that means Post will come good next year then Astbury and Griffiths the year after.
It is interesting that both Jack and Rance took a big step forward in their 4th year, it goes to show the bigger blokes take longer to develop. Hopefully that means Post will come good next year then Astbury and Griffiths the year after.
I'm a bit surprised with some comments about the size of some of the players - I could have sworn that they have just started their pre-season. I know some would have maintained some training during their break, but when you have a month or more off intense training your size does reduce a little.
Alex rance interview from yesterday..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=QmdU4dq0UC0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=QmdU4dq0UC0
2011: A breakout year was not something that a lot of people saw coming. In his first two years Rance showcased tremendous courage, a willingness to do the team things but unable to contribute when Richmond had the ball. His decision making was highly criticized and he struggled to show a attacking side of his game. Many feared that he was a carbon copy of the Richmond defenders of the last decade. Completely lacking in footballing smarts and a liability when kicking the ball. Slow side ways short kicks to a better skilled footballer. This was the improvement in Rance’s game in 2011. He decided that he was going to attack the game with the ball in his hands the same way he attacks the game without it. His rebound 50’s lifted from 1.1 to 4.1, lifted his uncontested possessions from 8 to 12.5. He became the starting point for many of forward thrusts. Most impressively he keeps running to link up after he gets rid of the ball. I would like to see his meters gained stat, I would bet that is at least double what it was in 2010. He must continue this if he is to stay at the same level or get better. On top of that he raised his spoils from 2.1 to 6.8 (fourth in the AFL) and his %1’s from 3.4 to 8. At times Rance spoiled when he could easily take the intercept mark and launch a attack. But as 2011 went along he became much more confident and looked like he was starting to believe that he belonged at AFL level.
2012: Unlike 2011, Rance will start the year locked in as one of the key defenders. He is established as having one of our key defensive posts. But he will get some huge jobs this year. Needs to stop scragging and just attack the ball. Rance is at his best when he plays the game on it’s merits and makes quick decisive decisions and attacks the contest. His run and drive from the back half must continue. Rance will be interesting case study in 2012. Coming off a breakout year, I am not sure that Rance has a tremendous amount of improvement left in him. I think what he is today is what he will be. Maybe he gets smarter with the ball and takes a few more intercept marks but we know what we get from him. Manic attack on the ball, hard running from the back 50 and the occasional brain fade with the ball. As long he continues to do the first two, I can deal with a small dose of number three.
2012: Unlike 2011, Rance will start the year locked in as one of the key defenders. He is established as having one of our key defensive posts. But he will get some huge jobs this year. Needs to stop scragging and just attack the ball. Rance is at his best when he plays the game on it’s merits and makes quick decisive decisions and attacks the contest. His run and drive from the back half must continue. Rance will be interesting case study in 2012. Coming off a breakout year, I am not sure that Rance has a tremendous amount of improvement left in him. I think what he is today is what he will be. Maybe he gets smarter with the ball and takes a few more intercept marks but we know what we get from him. Manic attack on the ball, hard running from the back 50 and the occasional brain fade with the ball. As long he continues to do the first two, I can deal with a small dose of number three.
Cool again sooper scooper. Rance is living, breathing, walking, talking proof that you should think carefully before you write off a young player. I just could not see him doing what he did last year, and I tend to give young players the benefit of the doubt. Loved his 2011, and from the very limited pre-season footy I've seen, there no reason to believe he won't go on with it.
