Star Richmond key defender Alex Rance’s ability to rein in Sydney’s goalkicking gun Lance Franklin, after he’d kicked a couple of early goals during last Friday night’s clash at the SCG, was a vital factor in the Tigers’ success.
Rance restricted Franklin to just 10 disposals, three marks and those two goals, while picking up 22 disposals himself, as Richmond stormed home to win by 18 points.
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“It’s always a real draining affair with ‘Bud’. He’s such a talented athlete and I respect him so much,” Rance said on Channel Seven immediately after the match.
“He probably got the ‘chockies’ (chocolates) in the first half . . . then the defensive pressure of the ‘mids’ (midfielders) helped me out a lot, and maybe I got a bit lucky in the second half.”
Rance admitted he may have erred in his attempts to unsettle Franklin at the start of the match with some strong physical attention.
VIDEO: Rance's battle with Buddy
“I never try and rattle the bear too much early days, but I made that mistake early and he got up and going,” Rance said.
“Maybe I just need to give him a bit of a cuddle next time.”
