North Melbourne great David King has outlined the four key factors which will determine whether Richmond can keep their premiership chances alive without star defender Alex Rance.
The All-Australian captain endured a devastating ACL injury during the third term of his side's opening round game against Carlton last week, forcing Tigers to consider life without their defensive weapon.
"I've probably stopped short a couple of times of saying, "They can't win without (Rance)'," King said on Fox Footy's AFL 360.
"But the more you watch - particularly from behind the goals - it's not that you can't replace the player, it's that he does so much in their system. He is the system.
"He is the reason they play the way they do. They have a forward half press because this guy can do everything."
King said there are four key factors surrounding Richmond's upcoming season, the signs which may expose one of the more dominant teams of the past two seasons.
4. Who steps up?
"Who is it that's going to elevate?"
King is worried that not one member of the back six is ready for the role and responsibility Rance would commit to. Both Nick Vlastuin and Dylan Grimes have grown into exceptional defenders, while Nathan Broad and David Astbury help limit opposition charges - but it could be up to the entire group to share the leadership workload Rance implemented into the team.
"I think we're going to form some pretty strong opinions in the next couple of weeks," King said.
"But this is a greater loss than I've ever seen to a team in a premiership window."
