Richmond Coach Damien Hardwick Responds To Alex Rance Rumours

Damien Hardwick has spoken for the first time about star defender Alex Rance’s sudden retirement late last year, saying there is “nothing sinister” behind the decision.

Rumours have circulated linking Rance’s AFL exit with a subsequent split from his wife.

Hardwick said on Friday:

“That’s what people do, they sit there and hide behind keyboards and it’s weak and it’s incredibly disappointing from my point of view.

“There’s no truth to it, there’s nothing to it. This man is a man who’s been devoted to his family and his faith for a long period of time and there’s nothing more sinister than that.”

Hardwick also left open the possibility of Rance returning:

“Is the door ajar? Probably it is but the ball is in Alex’s court from that point of view.”