Richmond legend Alex Rance has sparked controversy with a surprising confession about his time in the AFL. The five-time All-Australian defender admitted he nearly retired in 2015 due to an identity crisis, revealing he disliked the competitive aspect of game day.
Speaking on the podcast 'Shaped' with former teammate Trent Cotchin, Rance said he struggled with the requirement to make opponents' days worse. 'I had to potentially end someone's career, end someone's dream of being an AFL player,' he explained. 'I just didn't like that element.'
Rance, who retired prematurely in 2019 after an ACL injury, described himself as 'people-focused' and said he loved training but found game day exhausting. 'When I had to put on that mask on game day, it took energy,' he said.
AFL great Nick Riewoldt expressed disbelief at the comments. 'I always thought nice guys finished last, but Rancey won a premiership, so I don't know,' Riewoldt said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. 7SPORT expert Tom Morris called the confession 'bizarre'.
Rance currently works as a leadership consultant for the Gold Coast Suns, reuniting with former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary wondered what the Suns players would think of his remarks.
