Daniel Rioli has become the first of Alex Rance’s teammates to break his silence on the AFL superstar’s decision to quit the sport – 11 days after the star’s shock retirement.
Rance – a five-time All-Australian player who was considered one of the game’s best defenders – called time on his career on December 19. Shortly after he announced the split, the devout Jehovah’s Witness also announced he’d split with his wife Georgia.
A whirlwind of social media speculation erupted after the announcement which saw Tenisha Crook, the partner of Tigers midfielder Jack Higgins, on Sunday unleash on the ‘putrid’ allegations which were made online.
A thread on BigFooty discussing the issue on Monday was removed amid threats of legal action.
Daneil Rioli (right) has become the first AFL star to share a tribute to departing Tigers star Alex Rance (centre)
Rance’s other ex-teammates, meanwhile, have kept silent on the unexpected retirement of the AFL champion – who sources said was match fit when he made the announcement.
But on Monday night, Rioli – whose locker was next to Rance’s – was the first Tigers star to post a tribute to the departing star and devout Jehovah’s Witness.
‘Just wanted to congratulate this guy on an incredible career,’ he wrote on Instagram.
Rance – a five-time All-Australian – suddenly called time on his career on December 19 before it was revealed he had split from his wife Georgia (pictured together)
Alex and Georgia Rance in happier times last year. She split with the Tiger champion just days after he announced his retirement
‘Thank you for being such a good teammate and leader for us. Gonna miss you as my locker buddy love ya bro.’
The emotional post comes after Tigers captain Trent Cotchin said the team would ‘always be there’ for their departing co-captain.
But the radio silence from Rance’s teammates on social media led ex-St Kilda coach Grant Thomas to question their thoughts on the 30-year-old.
‘Curious … where is the heartfelt outpouring of support and accolades from Tiger teammates since Rance retired,’ Thomas wrote in the wake of Rance’s retirement.
Sources have told Daily Mail Australia his knee was match fit when he pulled the pin.
Just two days before his announcement, teammate Dylan Grimes told afl.com.au Rance was in great shape.
‘He’s been building now for 12 months for the season to start, so I think he’s going to be in terrific condition. Seeing him move around the track, he’s moving better than he was before the knee, it seems to me,’ Grimes said.
Rance issued a statement stating he had opted to step away from the game and turn his attention to his family and faith.
‘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,’ the statement read.
The social media storm which followed forced the partner of Richmond midfielder Jack Higgins Tenisha Crook (pictured together) to publicly speak out over a series of allegations against her name
Jack Riewoldt (L) walks off in tears with Alex Rance during the round 16 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Richmond Tigers in 2015. Rance said the pair were like brothers before his sudden retirement
The decision has puzzled fans, with online threads working overtime with thoughts and theories.
Fuel was thrown on the fire last week when news broke that Rance’s wife Georgia had split with him just days after his announcement.
The devout Jehovah’s Witnesses had married in 2012.
Online forums went into meltdown, forcing the partner of Tigers midfielder Jack Higgins to publicly deny a series of ‘putrid’ allegations which surfaced online.
Tenisha Crook didn’t address the nature of the rumours, but said she was horrified that people could make such claims.
‘Absolutely disgusting that it has gotten to the point where I have needed to respond to this slander and defamation,’ she wrote on her Instagram story.
‘I am horrified at the amount of (all male) putrid messages received in mine and Jack’s Facebook and Instagram dms.
While there have been numerous online rumours as to the supposed ‘real reason’ Rance quit the Tigers, so far nothing posted has had any basis whatsoever.
While the online detectives continue to dig into the saga, some keen observers have noted none of Rance’s past teammates have given him a call out on social media.
A Richmond spokesperson refused to comment when questioned by Daily Mail Australia on Monday.
Tenisha Crook chose not to disclose what the allegations were, but vehemently denied they were true
Tiger insiders are themselves putrid over the Crook rumours.
Crook said she understands her boyfriend’s career means she is often thrust into the spotlight, but hoped fans would be more accommodating to their need for privacy.
‘Football fans need to learn to respect the privacy of players and their families/wives and girlfriends (especially in the off-season).
Crook has been forced to deny rumours relating to her relationship with Higgins on Instagram
‘Yes, there is a spotlight put on players and their partners. However, there is absolutely no right to abuse, stalk us and make up rumoured stories.’
She went on to say both she and Higgins remain happy in their relationship.
The allegations come after a tough 2019 for Higgins, who was sidelined with a brain bleed back in July.
He was involved in a car accident while travelling in an Uber in November but walked away unscathed.
Tiger hero Jack Reiwoldt was pictured hugging Rance in an article written in Melbourne’s The Age in June.
The article stated the pair were ‘almost as close as brothers’.
Higgins required surgery for a brain bleed which was first noticed back in July, 2019
‘We live near each other now in Brighton, and it’s almost like a brotherly relationship,’ Rance said at the time.
‘I borrow his lawnmower, he drops over his whipper snipper, I come to see his little daughter Poppy. We carpool all the time, and those are some of the best moments. You can solve all the problems of the world in a car trip.’
Reiwoldt does not appear to have left the country.
Jack and Carly Reiwoldt with their baby Poppy. Reiwoldt had previously publicly supported Alex Rance
His wife Carly posted pictures and video of their happy family enjoying Christmas together at home just days ago.
But like his team mates, Reiwoldt remains silent.
A tigers fan on the club’s own website perhaps summed it up best a day after Rance made his sudden departure.
‘I reckon the playing group would be as flat as the supporters are,’ he wrote. ‘It’s noticeable there haven’t been any social media posts from players yet. It’s a sad way for such a champ to finish.’