Richmond star Alex Rance announces shock retirement from the AFL
Alex Rance, the star Richmond defender and devout Jehovah’s Witness, has announced his shock retirement from the AFL to focus on his family and faith. The five-time All-Australian informed his teammates of the surprise move on Thursday morning.
Having started preparations for his 13th season, and with two seasons of his contract left to run, Rance decided the demands of the AFL were starting to hurt the other important areas of his life.
“I am someone who will always give their best to what they commit to and I’m proud of the time, energy and dedication that I’ve put towards my football career,” Rance said in a club statement.
“Right now, I feel I have served my purpose in terms of my on-field performance and cultural impact and I’m so grateful to the football club for their support and care in allowing me to do that in my own unique way.
“Now I feel is the right time for me to put the same time and energy into other areas of my life that need it and to prioritise the more important things to me, such as my spiritual growth, my family and friends.”
Rance grappled with getting the balance between faith, family and football right over the course of his 200-game career, nearly retiring in 2015.
“It was really tough because I love those boys, I care about them a lot, but it’s now time for me to look after my own happiness and growth,” Rance said of breaking the news to his teammates.
“I guess I didn’t really deal with the underlying things in 2015 that were causing me that uncertainty. I treated footy like a band-aid or a drug. Just keep at it, invest more time and more energy and it did make me feel better but still underneath I felt uneasy. I was divided.
“I was split between two worlds but I don’t regret a thing because I’ve learnt so much across the journey and met so many amazing people. But I wish I had’ve been more honest with myself to understand what makes me happy and what I need. The main focus of my life (now) is my spiritual growth ... to just devote more time and energy to that.”
Rance was a key player in the Tigers’ breakthrough premiership in 2017, but missed this year’s grand final romp over Greater Western Sydney after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in round one. The 30-year-old had been on track to return to senior action in round one of the 2020 season, before making the call to retire.
Club chief executive Brendon Gale paid tribute to the impact the defender has had at Richmond, both on and off the field.
“He leaves this club a highly decorated premiership player and it has been a privilege for all us to watch him play,” Gale said.
“He is clearly one of the greatest players to have pulled on the Richmond jumper. Alex has been the ultimate competitor, an incredible character of the club, and a fine example of a Richmond man. Although he’s stepping away from playing football, he’ll always be part of Richmond and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.”