Finding the right balance between defence, and offence, was a pivotal factor in Richmond key backman Alex Rance producing career-best form in 2014.

Despite missing five games early in the season due to a broken foot, Rance managed to win All- Australian selection for the first time, finish equal-sixth in the Jack Dyer Medal, and enhance his reputation as one of the competition’s best key defenders.

Rance attributes his impressive progression at the game’s highest level to a greater awareness of when to defend, and when to attack, combined with better composure.

“It’s such a fine line to draw, and we always train it,” he told Tiger great Matthew Richardson in a special ‘Roar Vision’ post-season interview. 

“I talk about it to the young defenders at the Club.

“You’ve got to be so manic in defence, but then so controlled within the contest and when you’ve got the ball, offensively.

“So, it’s a really tough, line-ball decision.

“I mess it up every now and then, but it’s always with good intent.

“It’s not trying to be showy or flashy or anything like that.

“I just need to be reminded to calm down and just do the percentage things.”

Rance admitted he was yet to come to terms with his All-Australian accolade.

“I talked to a few of the past player at some functions before Grand Final day and told them that it hadn’t really sunk in yet . . . I didn’t really know what it meant to be an All-Australian,” Rance said.

“They said you probably won’t until you finish your career and look back on it and see what you’ve achieved.

“I think Eric Mackenzie (West Coast key defender) said it best – he’d swap All Australian nomination for a Grand Final anyday.”