Star Richmond key defender Alex Rance has been rewarded following another outstanding performance with maximum votes in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award voting for the Round 9 match against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium last Saturday.
Rance received 10 out of 10 from rival coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Leon Cameron (GWS) for his dominant display across the Tigers’ backline.
He finished with 19 disposals, including a game-high 10 intercepts and five score involvements, took five marks, including a game-high four intercept grabs, and also had a game-high 16 one-percenters.
Dynamic Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin maintained his top rating, picking up eight votes for a first-class display that netted him a game-high 35 disposals, including a game-high 20 contested possessions, a game-high 10 inside-50s, six intercepts, eight score involvements and four goal assists, plus a team-high 523 metres gained.
The Tigers’ mature-age recruit Toby Nankervis was awarded two votes for his impressive, robust ruck exhibition – 19 disposals, including 11 contested possessions, six intercepts, six score involvements, four marks, five tackles and 20 pressure acts.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and key defender David Astbury both collected one vote.
Full voting details for the Round 9 Richmond v GWS match are . . .
10 – Alex Rance (Richmond)
8 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
5 – Josh Kelly (GWS)
3 – Tom Scully (GWS)
2 – Toby Nankervis (Richmond)
1 – David Astbury (Richmond)
1 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
