Richmond defender Alex Rance hasn't shut the door on a return to the field in 2019, after sustaining an ACL injury in round one against Carlton.
The five-time All-Australian went down in the Tigers' season opener, but is looking strong in his rehab and is hopeful of pulling on the yellow and black again this year.
"Itโs good. I ran today (Friday) and Iโm getting some good strength into it and Iโm really happy with where itโs at," Rance told the Herald Sun.
"Iโve spoken to Tyson Goldsack, Cal Wood and Lynden Dunn and tried to tap into a little bit of their mindset. If you try to rush it and not pay attention to your symptoms, thatโs when you can cause damage."
Rance was asked if he was realistically a possibility to play again this season, and said he would give it everything he could.
"Iโm a pretty optimistic person. Anytime I say I want to get back to play, the medical staff and physios start cringing, but Iโd love to play this year and Iโm pushing to do so.
"Some recent swelling went down quickly so everything is going to plan."
