Inside the private life of the man who was almost The Bachelor: How AFL star and Jehovah's Witness Alex Rance shocked fans by retiring and ending his marriage in the same MONTH - leaving many unanswered questions

Alex Rance, a retired AFL player and devout Jehovah's Witness, was reportedly locked in to be this year's Bachelor before negotiations broke down.

And while former Australian Survivor star Locky Gilbert eventually landed the role of TV's most eligible suitor, there's no doubt having Rance hand out roses would have made for very compelling viewing indeed.

That's because in addition to his sporting success and dashing good looks, the 30-year-old also has a certain air of mystery about him thanks to his abrupt departure from the league late last year.

The Richmond premiership favourite shocked the footy world in December when he quit the game, only to announce his separation from wife Georgia eight days later.

As questions about his sudden retirement remain unanswered - including the suggestion that his church may have played a role in his decision - Daily Mail Australia takes a look inside the very private world of the man who could have been The Bachelor.

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Inside the private life of the man who was almost The Bachelor: How AFL star and Jehovah's Witness Alex Rance shocked fans late last year by retiring and ending his marriage in the same month

The Tigers defender was quietly going through a marriage breakdown when he announced he was retiring from the AFL in December to focus on his 'family and faith'.

Rumours swirled at the time that his Jehovah's Witness church was involved and had forced him to quit, but the religious organisation denied any involvement in the footy star's decision.

Just days after Rance announced his retirement, it was revealed he had split from his wife Georgia, whom he married in 2012 and who is also a committed believer in the faith. 

Mystery: In addition to his sporting success and dashing good looks, the 30-year-old has a certain air of mystery about him thanks to his abrupt departure from the league late last year

Splitsville: The Richmond premiership favourite shocked the footy world in December when he quit the game, only to announce his separation from wife Georgia eight days later. Pictured together in 2017

It appears they may have split months earlier, however.

The pair sold their home in the upmarket Melbourne suburb of Brighton in September 2019, barely a year after moving in.

Rance - widely regarded as the AFL's best defender - was about to return to the field following knee reconstruction when he suddenly quit. 

Early split clues? It appears the pair may have split months before December, however, as they sold their home in Melbourne's Brighton in September 2019, barely a year after moving in

Enigmatic: As questions about his sudden retirement remain unanswered - including the suggestion that his church may have played a role in his decision - many fans have taken an interest recently in the very private world of the man who could have been The Bachelor 

Alex Rance's sporting achievements 

Rance played 200 games for the Richmond Tigers after being drafted in 2007

He won Richmond's Most Improved Player award in 2011

He won the club's Best and Fairest in 2015

Rance was a key player in helping the Tigers win the 2017 Grand Final and their first premiership in 37 years 

He is a six-time winner of the Francis Bourke Award for club values

He played for the All-Australian team five times and was the captain in 2017

Rance was the co vice-captain for Richmond between 2017-2019  

Richmond CEO Brendan Gale called Rance 'one of the greatest players' in the club's history.

He had missed most of the 2019 season after rupturing his ACL in round one and was forced to watch on from the sidelines as the Tigers claimed a premiership.

Sources told Daily Mail Australia his knee was match fit when he pulled the pin.

Just two days before his announcement, teammate Dylan Grimes told afl.com.au Rance was in great shape.

The 2017 Premiership winner had long spoken of his battle to reconcile the conflicting values of a Jehovah's Witness and the elite sport he played for a living.

In 2018, he admitted he almost quit the sport at the age of 25 - five years before walking away from a $2million contract with the Tigers.

'I just wanted to spend more time with my family, do more associated with my faith. I felt like being in the spotlight would draw attention to me,' he told 20Four's Stack Report at the time. 

The 12-year veteran added his physical presence on the field was naturally at odds with his belief system.

Jehovah's Witnesses do play sport professionally - as demonstrated by tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams.

But Rance's dilemma was that body contact and the elite competitiveness which comes with footy are frowned upon by the religion's elders.

'When I want to talk to people about love and care - which are central parts of being a Jehovah's Witness - it's conflicting because on the I'm beating someone up,' Rance said.

'I’m trying to beat him, and put myself over him. But when I talk about the leadership side of things, I show that empathy, care and humility... It's not an easy road to walk when you have this conflict inside you.'

Torn: The 2017 Premiership winner had long spoken of his battle to reconcile the conflicting values of a Jehovah's Witness and the elite sport he played for a living. Pictured with ex-wife Georgia at the Brownlow Medal count in 2014

Conflicted: Jehovah's Witnesses do play sport, but Rance's dilemma was that body contact and the elite competitiveness which comes with footy are frowned upon by the religion's elders

While there have been numerous online rumours as to the supposed 'real reason' Rance quit the Tigers, so far nothing posted has had any basis whatsoever.

While the online detectives continue to dig into the saga, some keen observers have noted that none of Rance's past teammates has given him a call-out on social media.

If you Google Rance's name you'll struggle to find a team mate quoted anywhere giving the man a tick.

A Richmond spokesperson refused to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia at the time.

Values: Taking into account Rance's strong faith, it's likely he would have been skeptical about The Bachelor because his religion strongly discourages close relationships with 'worldly people' (as all non-Witnesses are called) 

As reported by the So Dramatic! podcast last week, a newly-single Rance had supposedly 'signed on the dotted line' to be the Bachelor, but withdrew at the eleventh hour and was replaced by Locky Gilbert.

The podcast host claimed Rance had already been fitted for numerous suits, and some of the ladies had even applied for the show under the impression Rance was the suitor.

On Monday, a Channel 10 spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the claims were 'untrue'.

Fake news? On Monday, a Channel 10 spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that reports Rance was lined up to be the Bachelor were 'untrue'

Rance's management also denied the rumours to The Herald Sun on Tuesday. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Rance's reps for comment, but received no response.

Taking into account Rance's strong faith, it's likely he would have been skeptical of such a role because his religion strongly discourages close relationships with 'worldly people' (as all non-Witnesses are called).

Replacement: While former Australian Survivor star Locky Gilbert eventually landed the role of TV's most eligible suitor, there's no doubt having Rance hand out roses would have made for very compelling viewing indeed 

Meanwhile, Gilbert is believed to have pocketed a six-figure sum to be the Bachelor.

An industry insider told Hit FM's Tom and Olly on Friday that the business owner, 31, would have secured at least $100,000 for the role.

The source, who went by the name Eliza, speculated: 'I think it's probably around the hundred mark.'

'It's a good amount when you're a nobody and you're there for three months and you get to hook-up with people!'

The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten 

Raking it in: Gilbert is believed to have pocketed a six-figure sum to be the Bachelor