I definitely don't want to say I could see this situation however I did find it strange at the time when he accepted he wouldn't play in 2019 that not once did he say I raring to come back and be apart of it in 2020, I thought at the time gee I hope this doesn't mean hes thinking of retiring as hes had essentially 12 months off (yes I know training then rehab but playing with your mates is what its all about).
Anyhow it is what it is unfortunately, the funny thing is talking to a RFC mate the other day I said to him the saddest part about it for me is I wont ever see him play again, some of the things/efforts he gave were seemingly beyond human, loved him on and off the field, wish him the very very best in the future however cant help but feel sad as supporter.
I second this theory, the timing of the JW gathering & his very unexpected retirement is too much for me to ignore. I dare say Alex was anointed as a future leader for the cause, but tge JWs, like most cults, are very big on people "proving" their faith by rejecting their other loves & passions. Dare say he was sold on he can be an important messages of God, IF he chooses faith over footy. Unfortunately we are living in a time of regression & the church has more power, influence &, in their eyes, more opportunity to grow the faith like never before. Hearing Barnaby Joyce try to rally "religious faith" by trusting in God's plan for the earth & global Warming, made me quite ill. People are losing hope & the churches, like vultures, are trying to cash in on that with heavy recruiting. In Australia, what better recruiter to the faith is there than Tiger hero, superstar, Mr nice guy, Adonis- Alex Rance.
Alex's very unconvincing goodbye message also read very similar to that of NBA star Darren Collisons unexpected retirement only 6 months ago, also for JW faith. He unexpectedly retired at 31, walking away from a 2 year for $10,000,000 contract
Darren Collison was expected to generate significant interest in free agency before he shocked the NBA world with his sudden retirement.
www.google.com
Why is it that players of faith like Gary Ablett, Bachar Houli & Brett Kirk can all have long successful careers in AFL AND maintain their passion of faith - but for JWs its one or the other? Because JWs, like Sciencetoligy,are closer to cults than a real religion. My opinion only, but valid none the less
The treatment of women, child abuse and how to prevent being visited by followers of the religion are among topics confronted by ex-member
www.google.com
I am nothing but sad for Alex. I'm really disappointed at his decision & I am really shattered for the club & his teammates. Such a sad w say to end his career & his relationship with the RFC and his teammates. I am thankful for what he has given the club and know that without him, none of this success ever happens. However, I think Alex gotit all back + more in all the love, family, support and admiration you could ever want, thanks to the club and the supporters. His retirement was handled really selfishly with little thought to his tiger family. That's unfortunately his final act as a tiger. His final 2 games were also the 2 worst moments in our modetn dynasty. Him doing his knee in rnd 1 against Carlton & Mason Cox and the Pies giving he and the tigers a dirty bathing in the 18 prelim. No matter how you cut it, the end of the Alex Rance story *smile* sucked. If his career was a trilogy, it would be the Godfather. Part 1 & 2 was a masterpiece - the 3rd & final chapter was a mess with too much relgious influence that threatened to undermine the original greatness