Last season, Richmond’s top-gun key backman Alex Rance led a defence that was ranked third in the competition for least points conceded to the opposition during the home-and-away rounds.

Throughout this pre-season, the Tigers have been working hard to take their defensive efforts to an even higher level in 2016.

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According to Rance, they are planning to take a leaf out of the West Coast Eagles’ defensive book.  The Eagles introduced a zone-defence structure in 2015 that was highly successful for them, despite the fact a couple of their key backs were sidelined with long-term injuries.

“The West Coast ‘web’ was pretty well publicised last year and, if we can keep the ball inside our forward half, then, more often than not, we’re going to get repeat entries (inside 50) and save our legs,” Rance said after Richmond had restricted Hawthorn to just four goals in last Saturday’s NAB Challenge match at Beaconsfield.

“A big focus, I’m sure for all teams, is to get up the ground and keep it in the forward half.”

Rance, who won the Jack Dyer Medal for the first time last year, said the Tigers are continuing to build in their quest to take the next key step on the path to sustained success.

“We have won some big games, but it’s just those little inconsistencies that the top four sides have really ironed out,” he said.

“So, we’re still on our journey, and we’re still enjoying that journey and playing footy with our mates.”