Less than six months ago, it looked like Alex Rance might retire.
But when he returns to begin pre-season training for 2016, the West Australian will have four years ahead of him on a contract at Richmond, and will be the Tigers' reigning best and fairest winner.
A year which again ended in disappointment for the men from Punt Road has also finished with a maiden Jack Dyer Medal for key defender Rance, who polled 76 votes to beat Dustin Martin (60) and Brett Deledio (54) in the count at Crown Casino on Tuesday night.
Rance, who turns 26 on Friday, had been the subject of speculation surrounding his future for months leading up to contract extension in June, which ties him to the club until the end of 2019. A devout Jehovah's Witness, he had even contemplated walking away from football entirely, but ultimately chose to re-commit.
He played all 23 of the Tigers' game in 2015, consistently nullifying opposition forwards as well as having an offensive impact. He averaged more than 17 disposals, nearly six marks and three tackles per game to earn All-Australian selection for the second straight year.
Rance is the first player to win the award under the club's new voting system, in which all the team's players receive a rating of 0-5 pursuant to their performance.
Promisingly, 28-year-old Deledio was the oldest of the Tigers' top 10.
Martin, 24, was runner-up for the second time following after he finished second to the now-retired Daniel Jackson two seasons ago. The former no. 3 draft pick led the club in disposals, kicks and inside 50s. Deledio, who won the award in 2008 and 2009 finished third to complement his All-Australian selection, despite missing five games due to injury and suspension.
Three-time winner and captain Trent Cotchin finished sixth. Rance was the first defender to win the award since 2001, the last time Richmond won a final.
The Tigers won 15 home and away games for the second time in three years, but narrowly missed out on the top four. They were bundled out in a Sunday elimination final for the third straight year after being overrun by North Melbourne at the MCG. Coach Damien Hardwick has one year to run on his contract, having failed to progress beyond week one of the finals in any of his six seasons at the club.
2015 Jack Dyer Medal top 10
1st Alex Rance 76 votes (Jack Dyer Medal winner)
2nd Dustin Martin 60 (Jack Titus Medal winner)
3rd Brett Deledio 54 (Maurie Fleming Medal winner)
4th Anthony Miles 50 (Fred Swift Medal winner)
5th Jack Riewoldt 48 (Kevin Bartlett Medal winner)
Eq 6th Trent Cotchin 47
Eq 6th Nick Vlastuin 47
8th Bachar Houli 46
Eq 9th Shaun Grigg 44
Eq 9th Dylan Grimes 44
