Clubs continue to ask the question of former superstar defender Alex Rance more than two years after his last AFL game.
Rance tore his ACL in the opening round of 2019 and retired in December that year.
As things stand, he has no intention of returning to the top level but will soon pull the boots on for C-Grade West Australian side, Swan Valley.
It is said that every month or so a club asks the question of Rance – framed in a casual nature along the lines of: ‘He wouldn’t play again would he?’
The Western Bulldogs were the latest outfit to put the feelers out, but it might have happened 10 times since Rance announced his retirement at the age of 30.
“I think it’s a good idea and I can’t believe Alex Rance is sitting over in Western Australia playing whatever level of football it is,” Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy said on AFL Nation on Friday.
“My understanding is Richmond is topped out salary cap wise and essentially they’re not in much need as the Western Bulldogs.
“Wouldn’t it be so exciting? I’d make the call. If I was the Dogs, I’d make the call because that’s their weakness right now.”
Yet Rance could not be more categoric about not wanting to play AFL football again.
While Kade Simpson said he “100 per cent” wished he was still playing and Gary Ablett admitted he was “open to a conversation” with Geelong about a comeback, Rance remains a firm no.
The five-time All-Australian is a couple of weeks away from running out for Swan Valley, which is coached by Rance’s cousin and former Carlton player David Ellard.