AFL superstar Alex Rance SPLITS from his wife Georgia

AFL superstar Alex Rance has split from his wife Georgia just days after he announced his shock retirement from the game.

Rance, 30, and Georgia married in 2012 and are devout Jehova’s Witnesses. 

They sold their home in the upmarket Melbourne suburb of Brighton in September barely a year after moving in. 

The Richmond Tigers player – widely regarded as the AFL’s best defender – revealed he was retiring from the sport earlier this month.

In a statement on Richmond’s website on December 19, Rance – a five-time All Australian – said he felt it was the right time to ‘put energy into other areas of his life’ including religion. 

‘I am someone who will always give their best to what they commit to, and I’m proud of the time, energy and dedication that I’ve put towards my football career,’ he said.

‘Right now, I feel I have served my purpose in terms of my on-field performance and cultural impact, and I’m so grateful to the football club for their support and care in allowing me to do that in my own unique way.

‘Now I feel is the right time for me to put the same time and energy into other areas of my life that need it, and to prioritise the more important things to me, such as my spiritual growth, my family and friends.’

There had long been talk Rance may walk away from the game earlier than expected because of his devotion to his religion. 

Rance played 200 games for the Tigers, after being taken with the 18th pick in the 2007 AFL Draft.

Rance, 30, and Georgia (pictured in 2014) married in 2012 and are devout Jehova’s Witnesses

 Richmond CEO Brendan Gale called Rance (pictured training earlier this month)  ‘one of the greatest players’ in the club’s history

He won Richmond’s best and fairest in 2015 and was a crucial part of their drought breaking 2017 Grand Final win – the Tigers’ first premiership in 37 years. 

His retirement comes just months after missing out on a second premiership after suffering a serious knee injury in the early rounds of 2019.

He made an ultimately fruitless attempt to come back in time for the finals, but that was considered to be worthwhile as it would have him in peak condition for the start of the 2020 season 

Rance’s expected return to full fitness was set to make the Tigers a formidable force again in 2020 but now the Tigers will have to organise the backline without him.

Richmond CEO Brendan Gale called Rance ‘one of the greatest players’ in the club’s history.

‘He leaves this club a highly-decorated premiership player and it has been a privilege for all us to watch him play,’ Mr Gale said.

‘He is clearly one of the greatest players to have pulled on the Richmond jumper. 

‘Although he’s stepping away from playing football, he’ll always be part of Richmond and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.’