Richmond assistant coach Danny Daly has stressed the importance of key defender Alex Rance’s return to the Tigers’ line-up for Sunday’s match against Geelong at the MCG.

Rance, who finished sixth in Richmond’s Best and Fairest last year, has been sidelined since the opening round loss to the Gold Coast Suns, due to a broken foot.

“’Rancey’ coming back is massive for us . . ,” Daly said on this week’s ‘Spotlight’ show on ‘Roar Vision’.

“One thing with Rancey, he’s just got the ability to be able to read the ball and chop out and intercept mark.

“I think it’s just a big one for the rest of our players, who he gets around, and they come back and support as well.”

Rance, 24, has played 90 games for Richmond after being selected by the Club at pick 18 overall in the 2007 AFL National Draft.

Last season, he was ranked ninth in the competition for total marks, third at Tigerland for contested marks, and eighth for total disposals.