Talks have resurfaced that retired Richmond star Alex Rance could return to the AFL.

"A comeback is on the cards" for the five-time All Australian, according to veteran journalist Caroline Wilson

Rance shocked the footy world when he hung up the boots at the end of last season to focus on his family and religion.

The premiership defender has never ruled out a return, and now Wilson believes the 30-year old is a legitimate chance to.

“Alex Rance is a multi-tasker. He was able to live a religious life and be the best defender in the competition for a few years,” Wilson told Channel Nine’s Footy Classified.

“I do think a comeback is on the cards.”

Rance missed the Tiger' 2019 premiership win after suffering an ACL injury in Round 1 of the season.

Earlier this year he compared the idea of returning to footy like a an 'alcoholic working at Dan Murphy's'.

“I know that if I go back to playing for Richmond I am going to love it so much and it is going to consume my life and my balance is going to go out again so I am happy where I am at,” he said on radio station Triple R.

AFL greats Garry Lyon and Tim Watson both believe the 200-gamer will return to AFL circles.

“Yep, I think he’ll play,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.

“I think he’ll play footy again and probably with Richmond.”

Watson suggested that every club would have made inquiries about getting him out of retirement.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if 17 other clubs have inquired about where he’s at and what he’s thinking of doing over the next year or two,” Watson said.

“There’s a possibility that he will (come out of retirement). I think that door is still open enough for him possibly to come back and play.”