Relaxed Rance is happy to tip Tigers
PREMIERSHIP Tiger Alex Rance has tipped his former team to win the grand final in a low-scoring affair.
Following his shock retirement from the AFL last year, Rance has been working in education at The Academy, which has a campus in Geelong.
Rance predicted the grand final would be a low-scoring affair because both teams were stout defensively.
“I want the Tiges to win and I think they will,” he said
Rance said he was “really happy” his former side made the grand final, but did not regret his decision to retire.
“I made the decision based on me and what I wanted,” he said.
“There’s days I think about it, but it’s a once in a blue moon.
“I’m really enjoying the life I have got.”
The star defender said while he had previously considered a coaching career, he was enjoying the level he was working at now and had found working with young people to be fulfilling.
“I thought I could be a coach down the track but everything that’s surrounding a coach, with the media, it’s just a bit cutthroat for me,” Rance said.
“I’d prefer to keep doing what I’m doing with the kids and helping them with broader life lessons.”
Rance, who co-founded The Academy in 2016, said its inaugural year in Geelong had gone “really well”.
The program provides an alternative to standard Year 11 and 12 education, with a strong focus on AFL development, and its Geelong program is delivered in partnership with Western Heights College.
Rance said there were a few Geelong supporters among the students who were excited ahead of this weekend’s grand final against the Tigers and already had Patrick Dangerfield “locked in” for the Norm Smith Medal.
The five-time All-Australian, who has been impressed by young Cats defender Jack Henry, said he hoped a defender would be awarded the Norm Smith and would like to see former teammate Bachar Houli take out the honour.