Rance, who was taken at pick 18 by Richmond in the 2007 AFL National Draft, has emerged as one of the Tigers’ most important players over the past couple of seasons.
He finished equal sixth in the Jack Dyer Medal last year and has started season 2012 in strong style.
The 22-year-old is averaging 21 possessions per game and he’s No. 1 at Tigerland for marks, with 39 grabs in five rounds.
In yesterday’s match against the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium, Rance again was one of Richmond’s best, combining solid defensive work with his customary offensive run.
Sunday’s Round 6 clash with Port Adelaide also marks Damien Hardwick’s 50th game as Richmond’s coach.
With the AFL coaching merry-go-round having been in full swing over the past couple of years, Hardwick is now the equal-fifth longest-serving coach at his club.
Only John Worsfold (West Coast), Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn), Brett Ratten (Carlton) and Michael Voss (Brisbane) have been in charge of their respective clubs longer, with Brad Scott (North Melbourne) set to join ‘Dimma’ as a 50-game coach in Round 6.
Notwithstanding the fact Richmond has registered just one win, five rounds into the 2012 season, here’s some further evidence of Tiger improvement . . .
The Tigers’ current percentage of 94.4 is their highest after five rounds since 2008, when they were on 101.7%, with two wins (over Carlton and Fremantle) and a draw (against Western Bulldogs).
And the last time a team in the competition, with a 1-4 record to start the season, had a better percentage than Richmond’s 94.4, was Essendon in 2006, which stood at 95.9% at the completion of Round 5.
Young defender, Jake Batchelor, underlined his development at the game’s top level, with another impressive performance for Richmond, against top-of-the-ladder West Coast at Etihad Stadium yesterday.
The 20-year-old, in just his 20th appearance with the Tigers, took an equal team-high eight marks, including several solid intercept grabs, which are becoming a feature of his play.
He has improved each week this season since regaining his place in the side for the Round 2 clash with Collingwood.
Although “only” 188cm, Batchelor plays tall, has a good blend of defence and attack in his game, is composed, a neat kick, and knows where to position himself.
And, with the No. 11 on the back of his guernsey, he looks more like Joel Bowden each time the Tiger faithful see him in action.
Another young Tiger defender has captured the imagination of four-time Jack Dyer Medallist and former Richmond captain, now the person with the longest job title at the Club - Leadership Development Manager and Opposition Analysis, Wayne Campbell . . .
Appearing as a guest on last week’s episode of popular Club podcast, “Talking Tigers”, ‘Cambo’ sang the praises of Richmond’s 2012 mature-age recruit, Steven Morris.
“Can we talk about Steven Morris for a bit? I think I’m going to put the No. 38 on my little girl’s jumper,” Cambo said.
“You just think a player of that age, who hasn’t played AFL footy, would have more deficiencies.
“But he’s a really good decision-maker, he understands his limitations, and he’s as hard as a cat’s head.”blog comments powered by Disqus
