Hardwick lauded Rance as perhaps the best one-on-one player in the AFL, but also acknowledged that the defender’s occasional costly brain fades, among others from teammates, was an area the Tigers needed to address if they were to improve.
Rance limited the influence of Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt (one goal) and collected 19 disposals himself to be one of the best players afield.
However, one passage of play summed up the Rance package.
Late in the last quarter, he beat Riewoldt in another duel deep in defence only to send a short pass straight into the arms of Saints substitute Darren Minchington, who slotted his second goal.
Five talking points: St Kilda v Richmond
It was another inexplicable "Alex Rance Moment".
"We competed really hard (but) we lacked a lot of polish (compared to) where we've been," Hardwick said. "We're getting our hands on the ball enough (but) we're just making some uncharacteristic mistakes.
"There's just mistakes (where) we give blatant turnovers.
"Alex (Rance) had an outstanding game today versus Nick Riewoldt. (He) won that contest. He's a better player than that last kick he has across the arc there.
"You don't normally watch the opposition but I was watching Nick Riewoldt – the work-rate he puts in, he just puts his (opponents) into the ground. Alex is an outstanding athlete as well but the decision-making under duress when you're tired, (he) comes a little bit undone.
"You've got to take the good with the bad (with Rance).
"I'm going to put a huge wrap on the bloke – I don't think there's a better one-on-one player in the comp at the moment than Alex. He wins the majority of his contests. The other stuff we'll probably take now and then, but I think he's a great talent."
Hardwick was pleased by the response of the Tigers' nucleus of senior players just days after he said they hadn't performed to the standard expected of them this season.
The best of the Tigers' leaders was skipper Trent Cotchin, who had 31 touches and kicked a career-best five goals, while Brett Deledio had 29 touches and one goal.
"Trent (Cotchin) was outstanding at the start and Jack (Riewoldt) led from the front also, and Brett (Deledio)," Hardwick said.
"We've just got to maintain that consistency. The good sides, their better players perform week in, week out. We've been probably lacking that consistency from those guys, but it was good to see them shine today and (we) look forward to that form hopefully continuing next week."
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd had questioned Cotchin’s lack of flair with the ball, believing he should be gaining more metreage with his disposals, but former Bombers teammate Hardwick disagreed.
"I thought it was a poor criticism. Metres gained, he led. It was a bizarre comment for mine … Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story," he said.
Hardwick was determined to finish off the season strongly and regain some respect.
"We have been incredibly disappointing this year. Me (and) the players … share the fans' frustration," he said.
"We have just got to win some respect back off our fans (and) the AFL, and win some games because we should be a lot better placed than we are now. But unfortunately it is all our own doing."
It was another inexplicable "Alex Rance Moment".
"We competed really hard (but) we lacked a lot of polish (compared to) where we've been," Hardwick said. "We're getting our hands on the ball enough (but) we're just making some uncharacteristic mistakes.
"There's just mistakes (where) we give blatant turnovers.
"Alex (Rance) had an outstanding game today versus Nick Riewoldt. (He) won that contest. He's a better player than that last kick he has across the arc there.
"You don't normally watch the opposition but I was watching Nick Riewoldt – the work-rate he puts in, he just puts his (opponents) into the ground. Alex is an outstanding athlete as well but the decision-making under duress when you're tired, (he) comes a little bit undone.
"You've got to take the good with the bad (with Rance).
"I'm going to put a huge wrap on the bloke – I don't think there's a better one-on-one player in the comp at the moment than Alex. He wins the majority of his contests. The other stuff we'll probably take now and then, but I think he's a great talent."
Hardwick was pleased by the response of the Tigers' nucleus of senior players just days after he said they hadn't performed to the standard expected of them this season.
The best of the Tigers' leaders was skipper Trent Cotchin, who had 31 touches and kicked a career-best five goals, while Brett Deledio had 29 touches and one goal.
"Trent (Cotchin) was outstanding at the start and Jack (Riewoldt) led from the front also, and Brett (Deledio)," Hardwick said.
"We've just got to maintain that consistency. The good sides, their better players perform week in, week out. We've been probably lacking that consistency from those guys, but it was good to see them shine today and (we) look forward to that form hopefully continuing next week."
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd had questioned Cotchin’s lack of flair with the ball, believing he should be gaining more metreage with his disposals, but former Bombers teammate Hardwick disagreed.
"I thought it was a poor criticism. Metres gained, he led. It was a bizarre comment for mine … Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story," he said.
Hardwick was determined to finish off the season strongly and regain some respect.
"We have been incredibly disappointing this year. Me (and) the players … share the fans' frustration," he said.
"We have just got to win some respect back off our fans (and) the AFL, and win some games because we should be a lot better placed than we are now. But unfortunately it is all our own doing."
Trent Cotchin and his team gave fan Nate Anderson something to celebrate on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media
