Richard Tambling

Just a week before the Christmas holiday, ace Tiger defender Alex Rance - some say the best defender of the past decade - announced his immediate retirement. It came as a shock after he missed the entire 2019 season due to a ruptured ACL in the season opener. Rance was hopeful of returning late in the 2019 season to play in the Grand Final and was event training for two weeks prior, but eventually decided he was not ready.

He said in a statement that he felt the time was right so he could "... put the same time and energy into other areas of my life that need it, and to prioritize the more important things to me, such as my spiritual growth (a devout Jehovah's Witness), my family and friends.”

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Ahead of the late November draft, clubs made changes, delisting some and elevating others from the rookie list. Clubs must use a draft selection to elevate rookies.

Adelaide delisted Ian Callinan and Nick Joyce. Callinan, 30, was a mature age recruit to the rookie list and played 32 games for the Crows in three seasons. He was elevated o the senior list in 2012. Joyce, 20, was drafted at the end of 2011 but did not play an AFL game in two seasons. Also delisted were Richard Tambling, Aiden Riley, Ben Dowdell and rookies Tim McIntyre, Dylan Orval and Tim Klaosen.

Adelaide traded its compensation selection for the loss of Nathan Bock to the Gold Coast and a third round selection (#50) for Richmond's Richard Tambling. Tambling debuted for Richmond in 2005 and played 108 games and kicked 61 goals.

ST KILDA
David Armitage, knee
Raphael Clarke, hamstring, season
Zac Dawson, hand
Clint Jones, ankle
Steven King, minor hamstring strain
Jesse Smith, ankle, long term injury list

Rick Browner reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

When two AFL teams sitting near the bottom of the ladder are scheduled to meet, anticipation is not high for an exciting spectacle. The Round 10 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers was a special game for Terry Wallace. Wallace, the media-besieged Richmond coach, would complete his 500th game 

Hopes were high that after last week’s spirited performance against Geelong, Richmond could break their winless streak and take the game up to an in-form Western Bulldogs. However there were ominous signs when Richmond players failed to break through the supporters’ club banner when running onto the ground.