Richmond defender Alex Rance has confirmed his standing among the Tigers’ playing group by winning his third Francis Bourke Award, at the 2014 Jack Dyer Medal night at Crown Palladium.
The Francis Bourke Award recognises the player which most embodies the team’s trademarks of awareness, belief and discipline.
The award is voted on by the players, on a 3-2-1 basis, after each match.
Rance won with 17 votes, with Shane Edwards finishing second (11 votes) and Jake Batchelor third (9 votes).
14 in 14: Alex Rance
Rance also won the award in 2013 and 2011, making him the second multiple winner along with former Richmond captain Chris Newman.
The 2014 season established Rance as one of the premier key defenders in the competition, and the 24-year-old capped of his year by being named at centre half back in the All-Australian team.
He averaged 17.3 disposals, 5.8 marks and a career-high 8.5 one percenters per game.
Francis Bourke Award winners:
2014 – Alex Rance
2013 – Alex Rance
2012 – Trent Cotchin
2011 – Alex Rance
2010 – Chris Newman
2009 – Luke McGuane
2008 – Chris Newman
2007 – Nathan Foley
2006 – Andrew Raines
