RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has declared a conversation is coming with "freak" defender Alex Rance over a possible 2019 return.

Just 15 weeks after surgery to repair his ruptured ACL, Rance is nearing full speed after stepping up his running in recent weeks.

While the Tigers remain focused on the 29-year-old's long-term future, Hardwick concedes the Rance magnet is a tempting proposition.

"He's going incredibly well. It's scary how much of a freak of an athlete he is," Hardwick told ABC on Sunday.

"He's that far ahead of schedule, it's not funny. He's probably going to challenge us (for a return) at some stage.

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"The danger for us that he's such an important player but also, when I do see him moving, I think: 'Oooh, [it'd] be good to put that piece back on the puzzle, wouldn't it?'.

Alex Rance in the hands of trainers in round one. Picture: AFL Photos

"He's going really, really well. He's an incredible performer and we look forward to having him back at some stage, whether it's this year we're not too sure."

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Collingwood veteran Tyson Goldsack returned in the VFL just over 20 weeks after tearing his ACL in pre-season following an aggressive rehab last year.

Hardwick refused to shut the door on Rance doing a similar thing this season.

"There's a very small possibility (for 2019)," Hardwick said.

"We're very conservative with the important player that he is, a five-time All Australian, All Australian captain so you don't want to put him at any risk, and that will be first and foremost in our minds."

The Tigers made seven changes for Sunday's win over St Kilda that propelled them back into the top eight, and more good news is on the way with premiership pair Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis also nearing a return.