The fact Richmond is currently ranked the fourth best defensive team in the competition is, in no small way, due to the efforts of key backman Alex Rance.

 Rance produced another top-class performance in last Friday night’s victory over Hawthorn.  He had 18 disposals, including an equal game-high nine intercept possessions, took six marks, repeatedly turned defence into attack for the Tigers in trademark style, and played a pivotal role in restricting the Hawks to just seven goals for the match.

“He’s become an incredible player,” Hardwick said on 3AW.

VIDEO: Richo's Round 18 interviews

“He always had the natural attributes to actually be a quality player within the AFL system.  It was probably just finding the best place for him to play. 

“We tried him at various stages early in his career up forward, a little bit on-ball, and he did an incredible amount of work with Justin Leppitsch at the time down back . . . Now Ben Rutten’s taken over that role and coached him up well. 

“But Alex deserves a lot of credit himself. 

“He’s started to be more composed with the ball . . . we still have our Alex Rance moments, as we call them, but he’s become one of the elite players of the competition.

“The positions he can get his body into, to win contests, is nothing short of astonishing. 

“He’s an incredible player and we’re very fortunate to have him . . .”