Outstanding key backman Alex Rance has outlined the crucial role that a strong, collective defensive mindset played in Richmond capturing the 2017 premiership.

The Tigers’ capacity to consistently apply a high level of pressure to the opposition throughout the season, across all areas of the ground, and force turnovers, was the cornerstone of their game.

“I think defence is one of those things that everyone can bring,” Rance said on SEN.

“You can get drafted and not be the most talented offensively, or be able to make up the game offensively, and I’m probably a prime example of that. But I always knew that I could run, tackle, chase – all those kind of things, which no-one can stop me from doing.

“So that was a big emphasis (for the entire Richmond playing group) . . . this is your baseline.

“As a player, if you’re going to bring this defensively, then you’ll get a game. All the rest is going to be cream.

“That defensive, blue-collar mindset really represented our club as a whole . . .”