That tunnel looked a long and dark one at times after losses to Carlton, the Western Bulldogs, Sydney Swans and Melbourne, but Rance hopes a five-goal to nil opening and encouraging performance against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval leads to more improvement.
"They are a very good side, but we did think they were gettable and that we could beat them with our game style. We are disappointed, but there are positive signs to take out of it," he said.
"There's just some little things letting us down. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, which is good, and our work is slowly paying off, but we'll take a win any day."
Rance was taken at No.18 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft and it was last year he took the next step as a courageous defender, but coach Damien Hardwick has thrown him forward and it worked as he booted three goals.
He is enjoying the new role and is confident that with Jack Riewoldt and a good mix of first-year players down there that the forward-line can develop nicely.
"I will take a win over three goals any day, but it's starting to work better and I can use my tank a bit more by running the patterns," Rance said. "I'd like to think that I can play at both ends and that I can still have the aspect to my game where I can defend.
"Down the track I wouldn’t mind being thrown down back again, but at the moment being forward is good to me.
"We've got a lot of young names down there like Troy Taylor, Dave Astbury, Ben Nason and it's very exciting for the future and they have a bit of toe about them."
Rance was drafted from WAFL club Swan Districts so enjoyed the chance to return to Perth, but even though there were good signs against Fremantle, he was disappointed not to get the Tigers' first win of 2010.
According to Rance, the Tigers are looking forward to all challenges and there's none bigger than reigning premiers Geelong next Sunday at Skilled Stadium.
"We are relishing the challenges at the moment and whether we run out of gas or not, we'll just give it everything and if we can improve on one little thing then it's a win for us," he said.
