Tigers defender surprise captain

ALEX Rance’s stellar season in defence has been rewarded with his shock selection as All-Australian captain.

The Richmond star was last night named in his fourth straight team of the year.

While that was no surprise, Rance became the first non-club captain to lead the All-Australian side since Adelaide’s Andrew McLeod in 2007.

Rance’s teammate and Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin was also named just 24 hours after his return to Melbourne following a whirlwind trip to New Zealand to discuss his future with his father Shane.

Martin walked the red carpet alongside his teammate but — as expected — bypassed waiting media at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda.

Greater Western Sydney midfielder Josh Kelly made his first team as his contract saga continues, while premiership favourite Adelaide had three players selected — defender Rory Laird, midfielder Matt Crouch and small forward Eddie Betts. Essendon and West Coast also had three players in the team.

Eagles full-forward Josh Kennedy was named Rance’s deputy. The team included 12 first-timers, with 12 clubs represented among the 22 players.

Eight players retained their positions from last season, with Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin, who kicked 69 goals this season, named at centre half-forward in his seventh All-Australian team. Franklin now trails only Robert Harvey, Mark Ricciuto and Gary Ablett Jr, who were eight-time selections.

Paddy Ryder’s year was also recognised, with the Port Adelaide tall winning ruck honours having averaged 37 hit-outs this season.

Rance, who was installed as Tigers’ co-vice-captain in March, played every game.

Earlier this month, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lauded Rance as “the best defender I’ve seen in 20 years of AFL footy”, while Essendon great Dustin Fletcher declared the Tiger as among the best defenders of all time.

“I have got no doubt,” Fletcher said in May. “He is well and truly in the conversation. He is that player you just love watching, and he has an impact on games.”

The All-Australian selection panel comprised league boss Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Andrew Dillon, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.

Bartlett said this year that Rance must be considered among the great backmen to play the game.