Rance leads way in All Aussie honours
ALEX Rance’s stellar season in defence has been rewarded with a shock selection as AllAustralian captain.
The Richmond star last night won his fourth straight team of the year nod.
While that was no surprise, he became the first non-club captain to lead the side since Crow Andrew McLeod in 2007.
Rance’s teammate and shortest-ever Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin was rewarded with selection just 24 hours after he returned to Melbourne following his whirlwind trip to New Zealand to discuss his playing future with his father Shane.
Star Giants midfielder Josh Kelly won his first selection as his contract saga remains live, while premiership favourite Adelaide had three players selected.
West Coast
Josh Kennedy Rance’s deputy.
The team included 12 firsttime inclusions, with 12 clubs represented among the 22man group.
Eight players of the 22 retained full-forward was named their position from last season, with Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin – who kicked 69 goals this season – named at centre-half forward in his seventh All-Australian selection.
It is the most number of selections of any player in the team and puts Franklin tied for second for the most number of selections ever, behind only Robert Harvey, Mark Ricciuto and Gary Ablett Jr on eight.
Paddy Ryder’s year was also recognised, with the Power tall winning ruck honours having averaged 37 hitouts per game this season. Rance, who was in March installed as Tigers’ co-vice-captain, played every game this season.
Earlier this month, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick lauded Rance as “the best defender I’ve seen in 20 years of AFL footy”.
Essendon great Dustin Fletcher declared the Tiger as among the best defenders of all-time.
“I have got no doubt,” he told News Corp 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 selection panel for the team was comprised of 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 likes of Stephen Silvagni, David Dench, Geoff Southby and Matthew Scarlett as one of the great backman of history.