There’s has to be a bit more to this.
Some people at the club aren’t buying it and seem upset about how is all unfolded.
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Alex Rance
- Thread starter Tigers of Old
- Start date
There’s has to be a bit more to this.
Some people at the club aren’t buying it and seem upset about how is all unfolded.
Bloody crazy n extremely greedy the constant harping about Tross packing up n moving on to the next stage of his life.
It's Tross's life n he gets only one of them ( unless of course you're hanging out for the god botherer's reincarnation extra chapter ) same as the rest of us. He's just shared a dozen fantastic years of his sporting ability with us ( making most of us extremely proud n happy in the process).
Now he's come to a stage in his life that he n his missus feel the need to change n expand n do other things with his life. Perhaps find out what and who he is besides just a champion footballer.
I'll miss him n his abilities on the field as much as any of us footy fans, I'll miss his fun video antics n fooling around as well. But I'm stuffed if I'll sit around bitching n slinging *smile* on the bloke for deciding it's time for him to do other things with his life, or demanding he stays n spends another two years ( probably very unhappily ) in the AFL bubble. There's a stack of players trying to get by in all sorts of dodgy head space at the moment, last thing I want is for it to be some of ours.
It's Tross's life n he gets only one of them ( unless of course you're hanging out for the god botherer's reincarnation extra chapter ) same as the rest of us. He's just shared a dozen fantastic years of his sporting ability with us ( making most of us extremely proud n happy in the process).
Now he's come to a stage in his life that he n his missus feel the need to change n expand n do other things with his life. Perhaps find out what and who he is besides just a champion footballer.
I'll miss him n his abilities on the field as much as any of us footy fans, I'll miss his fun video antics n fooling around as well. But I'm stuffed if I'll sit around bitching n slinging *smile* on the bloke for deciding it's time for him to do other things with his life, or demanding he stays n spends another two years ( probably very unhappily ) in the AFL bubble. There's a stack of players trying to get by in all sorts of dodgy head space at the moment, last thing I want is for it to be some of ours.
Might pop up next year & help his old mans club (Wet Cokers) out. Been done (coming out of retirement) before.
As much as i respect Rance's right to live his life as he chooses, i'm still holding hope that his choice changes.
I have no doubt that the finality as it sets in will leave him with regrets.
If there is one thing we know of Tross's make up, it is that he is impulsive. We see that with his sense of humour, doing impulsive things that lighten the mood at the club. Even the way he plays the game is impulsive, and in a sense is one of his strengths. He doesn'ty think twice before leaving his man to defend someone else's, he's just off without a second though. A player that has a second thought isn't going to cover the ground to make the spoil. Only an impulsive footballer can defend an entire defensive 50 zone the way Rance did.
The hope is that there was some impulsivness to this decision and we may see an impulsive return some time in 2020.
I'm sure his fellow JW crew are fine company, but my guess is that the crew down in Tigerland would be a lot more fun to be spending a lot of your time with. And being the competitive beast he is, i'm holding hope that when he's watching us on the field of battle, that those competitive juices start flowing thick and fast.
Having said all that, i have a hunch that if he was to return, it would be more likely to happen if the club was struggling, and not sitting 12w and zero losses at the break.
If we were 5 / 5 and floundering, it would be just like Rance to don the superman cape and leap over the southern stand back into the fray
I have no doubt that the finality as it sets in will leave him with regrets.
If there is one thing we know of Tross's make up, it is that he is impulsive. We see that with his sense of humour, doing impulsive things that lighten the mood at the club. Even the way he plays the game is impulsive, and in a sense is one of his strengths. He doesn'ty think twice before leaving his man to defend someone else's, he's just off without a second though. A player that has a second thought isn't going to cover the ground to make the spoil. Only an impulsive footballer can defend an entire defensive 50 zone the way Rance did.
The hope is that there was some impulsivness to this decision and we may see an impulsive return some time in 2020.
I'm sure his fellow JW crew are fine company, but my guess is that the crew down in Tigerland would be a lot more fun to be spending a lot of your time with. And being the competitive beast he is, i'm holding hope that when he's watching us on the field of battle, that those competitive juices start flowing thick and fast.
Having said all that, i have a hunch that if he was to return, it would be more likely to happen if the club was struggling, and not sitting 12w and zero losses at the break.
If we were 5 / 5 and floundering, it would be just like Rance to don the superman cape and leap over the southern stand back into the fray
JW rules the live by
Don’t celebrate Brithdays Easter or Christmas .
They do not salute the national flag or sing the national anthem, did Rance sing the National anthem Grand final day?
Don’t believe in military service.
Are not allowed to have friends who are not JW or a limited in contact with them.
You must report on a fellow JW who has committed a sin, like buying a lottery ticket.
So you are constantly watched.
Having to go door-to-door preaching every Saturday and sometimes Sunday.
JW have to fill out a monthly report that details how much time they’ve spent preaching, how many books and magazines they’ve distributed to people, and how many Bible studies they’ve conducted
No sex before marriage
JW have rules for dating . The Jehovah’s Witness idea of dating is this: When you’re interested in marrying someone, you go out with them, but always with a chaperone. You are never alone, never without a third wheel until you get married, which will usually be less than a year after you’ve met them
oral and anal sex are banned even for married couples.
I’ve been told JW can’t watch TV but all I could find is JW are restricted in what they can watch.
The reasons behind Rance's early retirement
Richmond champion Alex Rance's decision to pursue other aspects of his life was a true life decision based on his faith, his values and his desire to be happy.
December 19, 2019 — 12.45pm
Alex Rance's retirement came as a shock to most.
On Tuesday, one of his defensive sidekicks Dylan Grimes told reporters that the champion 30-year-old appeared stronger and fitter than he had been before he injured his knee in his 200th game.
https://www.puntroadend.com/javascript:void(0);
But by Thursday, those close to the Tiger star were getting their heads around the finality of his decision rather than the fact he had made the call with two years remaining on a contract and was just months away from what promised to be an exciting return to play.
Immediately after the post-season break, the Tigers sensed Rance had returned with real purpose to attack 2020, his pleasure in his teammates' premiership success at the end of Richmond's triumphant 2019 one of the lasting memories of the season.
However in recent weeks, after the national draft and trade period, the club became aware that the questions Rance's always active mind posed about how he wanted to devote his time were getting louder.
His family, his faith, his work with the academy he began in 2016 were all drawing him closer, with football struggling to fulfil the often complex soul that is Rance.
Alex Rance at Richmond training earlier this month.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
The club worked with him, supported him, respected him and eventually accepted the decision he arrived at to leave behind the game he mastered after 12 years as a Tiger.
He will work on his school, The Academy, which offers a footy-focused schooling program, and spend time with his family and his community, but much of his future remains unplanned with his settlement with the club still to be worked through.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/rance-announces-shock-immediate-retirement-20191219-p53ldv.html
There is nothing sinister behind his departure. He was flying on the track and his mind was only filled with the emotion that comes when a person is faced with a life decision that requires them to head down a track few expect.
Rance is a thinker, a questioner, in some ways an idealist, and a person who always wants the best for others as evidenced by his work to develop a school he believed would better suit the needs of teenagers than other options.
The themes that shone through in his children's books Tiger's Roar and Rabbit's Hop were positive with the blurb for Rabbit's Hop giving, funnily enough, as good an insight as any into Rance and the logic behind his decision.
Jack Rabbit loved Rabbit Island. He loved his friends and family and all the little rabbits. He loved being the best at hopping and chomping and (nearly the best) at zigzagging.
But Jack Rabbit was restless.
A childlike sense of humour often emerged from that restlessness when Rance was on display, unafraid to engage and without reserve as he showed when he arrived at AFLX in a white suit on a skateboard while wearing headphones.
All this came from the big-hearted place that makes him a good person and one the club and his teammates grew to love.
https://www.puntroadend.com/javascript:void(0);
Also in his bones is a fierce competitor, one who might have seemed contradictory to him at times, and helped him earn five consecutive All-Australian selections from 2014-2018, win a best and fairest in 2015 and finish runner-up in the club champion award behind Dustin Martin in Richmond's drought-breaking premiership year of 2017.
He was the premier defender of the decade and his generation.
As Richmond began their winning run towards this year's flag he was always present post-match in the rooms, one foot rested against the wall as he leaned into the background, his white teeth flashing easily whenever he recognised someone and offered them a warm hello.
Although the pre-Christmas timing of Rance's retirement is not ideal from a list management perspective, Richmond are not dwelling on that minor detail, more conscious of expressing gratitude for the role the grinning defender played in transforming the club from laughing stock to flag bearers.
David Astbury, Alex Rance and Dylan Grimes after Richmond's premiership win this year.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
In the short term, his call upsets the Richmond applecart but from a broader and more reflective perspective, it's perfect timing given the Tigers proved in 2019 they could succeed without the No.18 in their backline.
Most of the disappointment among football lovers relates to the realisation that Rance won't stalk the Tigers' defence at the MCG like an ancient warrior defending a castle.
That was a sight to behold as he populated the defensive 50 like the subject of multiplicity photography.
"Now I feel is the right time for me to put the same time and energy into other areas of my life that need it, and to prioritise the more important things to me, such as my spiritual growth, my family and friends," he said.
Rance has made a true life decision and no one can deny him that.
Cotchin and Gale didn't look pissed off to me. Disappointed and shocked, yes.
Alex Rance has given 12 years of absolute commitment to the Richmond Football Club. The notion that champions get to decide when they go applies equally to those seen as going early as those who want one more year. Who can know what is in another man's heart?
It's a damn shame we will never see this Colossus dominate our D50 again. When idiot oppo fans would tell me, "Rance doesn't play on anyone", I'd scoff and correct them, "Mate, he plays on EVERYONE." Haters seemed to think defenders should be glued to their opponent, holding them, blocking them at all costs, like some sort of filthy Talia. Rance just went, "Screw that. If the ball dares enter my domain, it's mine." Dominant.
Other than forwards, who are always tagged (and that's another story), Adelaide tagged two players in the 2017 grand final - Cotchin and Rance. Our fullback was tagged, in a grand final. That's how good he was. And he was still BOG until the ball stopped coming down there.
It's been an absolute pleasure, privilege and a thrill to watch this dashing, daring, brave-as-a-Kellaway champion. Dustin Martin's existence is the only reason I can't definitively call him the best Tiger I've ever seen, but that goes both ways. I'm sorry we won't get to see him again. He's probably left 50 or more games in the locker room, but that's his choice. As Benny said, we're feeling a selfish disappointment. Rance in full flight is one of the greatest sights I've seen on a footy field. I'm disappointed I'll never see it again (and you better believe it, that's it, he's gone) but I know how lucky I am to have seen him play for our club. I would love to have played with him. Brave, talented, committed, funny as *smile*, full of care for everyone around him - the ideal teammate. No wonder training was flat - their hearts were broken.
So long, Alex, and thanks for everything. What a champion.
Alex Rance has given 12 years of absolute commitment to the Richmond Football Club. The notion that champions get to decide when they go applies equally to those seen as going early as those who want one more year. Who can know what is in another man's heart?
It's a damn shame we will never see this Colossus dominate our D50 again. When idiot oppo fans would tell me, "Rance doesn't play on anyone", I'd scoff and correct them, "Mate, he plays on EVERYONE." Haters seemed to think defenders should be glued to their opponent, holding them, blocking them at all costs, like some sort of filthy Talia. Rance just went, "Screw that. If the ball dares enter my domain, it's mine." Dominant.
Other than forwards, who are always tagged (and that's another story), Adelaide tagged two players in the 2017 grand final - Cotchin and Rance. Our fullback was tagged, in a grand final. That's how good he was. And he was still BOG until the ball stopped coming down there.
It's been an absolute pleasure, privilege and a thrill to watch this dashing, daring, brave-as-a-Kellaway champion. Dustin Martin's existence is the only reason I can't definitively call him the best Tiger I've ever seen, but that goes both ways. I'm sorry we won't get to see him again. He's probably left 50 or more games in the locker room, but that's his choice. As Benny said, we're feeling a selfish disappointment. Rance in full flight is one of the greatest sights I've seen on a footy field. I'm disappointed I'll never see it again (and you better believe it, that's it, he's gone) but I know how lucky I am to have seen him play for our club. I would love to have played with him. Brave, talented, committed, funny as *smile*, full of care for everyone around him - the ideal teammate. No wonder training was flat - their hearts were broken.
So long, Alex, and thanks for everything. What a champion.
Clearly some of this is not true considering Rance has been a JW for a long time and Serena posed nude in a magazine. Apparently paedophilia is banned in the Catholic church as well unless they get caught.
Spot on spook. We were privileged to watch him, and to have him in our colours.
Funny how some people now want to explore Rance’s religion so they can blame it. Not much mention of it in detail before he retired. Surely if we really cared about Rance the man we’d have done our research before?
Religion is funny. I had no idea the JW were that strict.
No sex before marriage, no oral and anual ?
When dating a chaperone must be present at all time! Seriously?
My first date with my wife we done all that on the first date!
Man, Her dad was so pissed off!
