Alex Rance | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Alex Rance

Coburgtiger

Tiger Champion
May 7, 2012
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It's interesting, I look at Balta vs Rance at the same point, and I see it this way.

Extremely similar athletically, but Balta has slight edge in height, speed, agility and leap.

The big differences physically are Rance's endurance, but Balta has a big weapon Rance never had in his long kicking.

Those two differences actually make them very different players. Rance could cover an entire backline, whereas Balta can give you burst running and can clear lines.

That said, there's no reason Balta couldn't play back, and do so to an elite level, he'd just be different.

All of this doesn't matter really though, because the biggest factor for success is always mental. One thing Rance had, which I believe is what made him the backline GOAT, was a selfless, fearless determination to win. And not just the game. He needed to win every tussle. Every bump. Every leap. He played like making it to the next contest was life or death. He sprinted with every muscular fibre in his form, whether or not the spoil was possible, and by doing so, often made it so.

That's where the similarities end.

If I say Balta hasn't got that, it's no slight on him. I've never seen any player have that like Rance.

I remember when Rance fractured his entire face early in his career. At that point, he couldn't look at a footy without turning it over. He spent more time falling over in contests than halving them, let alone winning. But that mad dash through the middle of the ground ending in a sickening clash was the essence of Alex. Pure, sheer desperation. The warrior came later, but the will was there from the start.

Balta is a different beast. We get carried away with the physical similarities. I'm excited to see the player he'll become. But it won't be Rance.
 
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TigerForce

Tiger Legend
Apr 26, 2004
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All of this doesn't matter really though, because the biggest factor for success is always mental. One thing Rance had, which I believe is what made him the backline GOAT, was a selfless, fearless determination to win. And not just the game. He needed to win every tussle. Every bump. Every leap. He played like making it to the next contest was life or death. He sprinted with every muscular fibre in his form, whether or not the spoil was possible, and by doing so, often made it so.

That's where the similarities end.

If I say Balta hasn't got that, it's no slight on him. I've never seen any player have that like Rance.

I remember when Rance fractured his entire face early in his career. At there point, he couldn't look at a footy without turning it over. He spent more time falling over in contests than having them let alone winning. But that mad dash through the middle of the ground ending in a sickening clash was the essence of Alex. Pure, sheer desperation. The warrior came later, but the will was there from the start.

Balta is a different beast. We get carried away with the physical similarities. I'm excited to see the player he'll become. But it won't be Rance.

Agree Coburg. We can't produce clones, but The Balt can develop his own successful style (ala Dusty)
 

graystar1

Tiger Legend
Apr 28, 2004
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All of this is interesting reading.

Remember though we won the 2019 premiership without Rance.

For me, it is not about who replaces him but rather who comes into the team as it stands, yesterday, Sept. 2019?

The only player, no great loss imho, is Ellis. In the wings we have players like Higgins, Ross, Balta and a heap of others who are already for promotion.

What a great list we have right now.
 

Ice

Tiger Superstar
Jul 18, 2006
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All of this is interesting reading.

Remember though we won the 2019 premiership without Rance.

For me, it is not about who replaces him but rather who comes into the team as it stands, yesterday, Sept. 2019?

The only player, no great loss imho, is Ellis. In the wings we have players like Higgins, Ross, Balta and a heap of others who are already for promotion.

What a great list we have right now.

if grimes, vlastuin and astbury are injury free again, no problem. would have been nice to have a bit more depth in the key defender/interceptor position
 
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eZyT

Tiger Legend
Jun 28, 2019
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It's just an arrogant wank word. Dominance is dominance. Premierships are premierships.

Try telling that to Ming.

I'm all for a dynasty.

I love supporting a dynastical outfit.

And The Dynasty will be televised

as far as I'm concerned, we are up to our necks in a dynasty-type situation,

and its only really getting going.
 
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Tigaman

Tiger Champion
May 23, 2010
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Try telling that to Ming.

I'm all for a dynasty.

I love supporting a dynastical outfit.

And The Dynasty will be televised

as far as I'm concerned, we are up to our necks in a dynasty-type situation,

and its only really getting going.
if grimes, vlastuin and astbury are injury free again, no problem. would have been nice to have a bit more depth in the key defender/interceptor position


Kmac no slouch down back so must come under scrutiny for a move back permantently.
 

King Kong

Tiger Legend
Aug 26, 2016
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The thing that Rance had early that Balta doesn't have is an innate ability to read the play and intercept

Rance was a liability in his first 3 years. Played a lot of Ressie's and was regularly smashed one on one. It was his acts of defensive desperation that started his rise and then Leppa's coaching that helped his one on one work.

Balta has the same athleticism but really needs that defensive mindset to ever get near Rance's level.

He has a long way to go but we need to give him 10-12 games in a row this season in defence to see if he can make it.
 
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eZyT

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Jun 28, 2019
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Kmac no slouch down back so must come under scrutiny for a move back permantently.

I think Kmac is sooooooo 2017.

a hard working, tough, entirely team orientated, premiership

2nds player.

great for depth.
 
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TigerPort

Tiger Champion
Jun 29, 2006
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NSW
Rance was a liability in his first 3 years. Played a lot of Ressie's and was regularly smashed one on one. It was his acts of defensive desperation that started his rise and then Leppa's coaching that helped his one on one work.

Balta has the same athleticism but really needs that defensive mindset to ever get near Rance's level.

He has a long way to go but we need to give him 10-12 games in a row this season in defence to see if he can make it.

Rance played 44 AFL games out of a possible 66 in his first three years. So outside of any injuries he played twice as many top level games than 2nds
 
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BrisTiger24

Out: Chimp In: Camel
Oct 16, 2003
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Brisbane
Rance had that early did he , at Coburg where he played most of his first 2 seasons ?

Rance played his first season at Coburg but more Richmond than Coburg in his 2nd season (he missed a few through injury including following the Selwood head clash).

But, no, I'm talking even before that. If you saw him play in the 2007 U18 Nationals), you would have seen the makings of the player that we saw at his best at AFL level. He may have taken a few years to adjust to senior footy but his ability was always there, hence why we were so lucky to get him at pick 18
 
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