Alex Rance seems set to join an exclusive group of AFL players later this year.

The outstanding Richmond key defender is on track for a fifth consecutive All-Australian blazer, which would place him alongside Geelong champion Gary Ablett junior and Collingwood’s captain Scott Pendlebury as the only current-day league players to achieve such a feat.

Ablett gained All-Australian selection eight years in-a-row, from 2007-2014 (2007-10 with the Cats and 2011-14 at the Gold Coast Suns).

Pendlebury was an All Australian five years on-the-trot, from 2010-2014.

The likes of Geelong pair Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield, Sydney’s Lance Franklin are the only other current AFL players that have been named in more All-Australian teams than Rance, but not in successive years.

Selwood is a six-time All Australian (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017), Dangerfield a five-time All Australian (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) and Franklin a seven-time All Australian (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017).

Up to the Tigers’ mid-season bye this year, Rance averages 17.2 disposals, 6.7 marks and 4.4 rebound-50s per match.

He is ranked No. 1 in the competition for intercepts, No. 4 for one-percenters, No. 9 for marks and No. 11 for contested marks.