Rance legacy will live on, says Cotchin

RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin says the retirement of Alex Rance will leave a huge hole at the Tigers, but knowing the team had won a flag without him would soften the blow.

Cotchin yesterday lauded Rance as an “incredible person” whose legacy would carry on at the club long after his departure following his shock decision to walk away from the game.

The two-time premiership skipper said the champion defender’s departure would leave a big void at the club, but the Tigers had showed it could do the job without him while he was injured this year.

“[He leaves a] pretty big hole,” Cotchin said. “But I like to think that a lot of the behaviours he has lived by for his lengthy career will live on through others that he has nurtured and been a big part of their careers.

“We have full faith in some of our young and up-and-coming players that will hopefully get an opportunity to fill the void. There is a little bit of sadness there bit even ‘Dimma’ [coach Damien Hardwick] spoke about it this morning, I think it’s an opportunity for others.

“There is a hole there much like last year when he went down with a knee injury for other guys to grow and flourish and give themselves a chance.”

Cotchin acknowledged it was a decision Rance has been wrestling with for some time, but respected his call to put his life away from football first.

“I think it has been part of the conversation for a little bit of time, but I think as a collective as a club it would be a little bit of a surprise,” Cotchin said.

“It’s probably just something that he has been wrestling with internally.”