Star Richmond playmaker Brett Deledio has paid a glowing tribute teammate Alex Rance, who become a back-to-back All-Australian representative this week.

Rance was selected at full-back in the 2015 All-Australian team, which was announced last Tuesday, with Deledio named on the interchange bench in the prestigious line-up and a third top-class Tiger, Jack Riewoldt, slotted in at centre half-forward.

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“He (Rance) is probably the premier full-back, or backman, in the competition,” Deledio said on Fox Footy’s ‘AFL 360’ program.

“I was lucky enough to play a couple of years with Darren Gaspar, who was similar at being out of position, and then being able to get back into position to spoil. 

“With ‘Rancey’, you just know that he’s never ever going to give up.

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“You watch his highlights, and he’s just right up the forwards’ backside all the time. 

“But, not only that, he gives us 15-20 good touches coming out of the backline as well. 

“His best footy’s still ahead of him for us, I think. 

“I’m glad he’s on my side, put it that way.”