BOMBERS PIN DOWN RANCE
Essendon lands services of Tiger premiership ace
ESSENDON has scored a coup in securing the services of Richmond premiership defender Alex Rance – as a part-time development coach.
The five-time AllAustralian played a one-off game for the Bombers VFL side in the state league this year, giving rise to speculation he might even stage an AFL comeback. But the 31-year-old will instead come on board as a development role, reuniting with senior coach Ben Rutten and assistant coach Blake Caracella, who were at Richmond at stages of Rance’s stellar league career.
He will work alongside the club’s development coaches Leigh Tudor and Cam Roberts, working with the Bombers’ key position players as well as the first-to-fourth year players in the Jack Jones Academy.
“I’m really excited to join the Bombers as a development coach for next season,” Rance said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to start my journey as a coach in the AFL.”
“Having familiar faces in ‘Truck’ (Rutten) and ‘Cara’ (Caracella) around to work with was appealing to me.
“I really enjoyed my experience with the VFL Bombers up in Queensland earlier this year and I loved helping those young players grow and learn which will be a big part of my role.
“I can’t wait to get started and help the club towards success.”
Rance’s enjoyment in working briefly with the VFL side late this season fuelled his intention to become involved even further as a coach.
Essendon general manager of football Josh Mahoney said the club was buoyed by Rance’s acquisition to the coaching staff.
“We have a young, developing group ... and Alex will bring leadership and a highperformance mindset to the entire squad, as well as focus
ing on developing the fundamentals of our key position players,” Mahoney said.
“We look forward to Alex’s contribution to the club in helping develop our players who are looking for continual improvement.”
Rance shocked the footy world after he retired from his brilliant career in 2019 after 2000 games and one premiership (2017) with the Tigers.
THE AFL is still hopeful it will host a draft combine for Victoria Metro players despite current state government restrictions.
Those from regional areas invited to participate in the key lead up event to the draft will undergo testing in Bendigo this Friday while Melbourne-based players are scheduled to attend a combine on October 9.
AFL combines – Oct 1: Victoria Country (for players nominated from regional Vic areas) at La Trobe University Athletics Track, Bendigo; Oct 9: Victoria Metro (TBC), Oct 10: Queensland at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Carrara; Oct 11: Tasmania (Venue TBC); Oct 16: South Australia at University South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Oct 17: Western Australia at Wesley College, South Perth, Nov 24: AFL draft