Richmond was dealt a blow to its 2020 plans when coveted defender Alex Rance announced his retirement just prior to Christmas last year.

We've taken a look at some "premature" finishes to certain Hawks over the years.

John Peck

Age retired: 29

Games: 213

Goals: 475

The first Hawk to win a Coleman Medal, John Peck claimed the 1963 award and then in 1964 and then again in 1965.

He was a prodigious goal kicking talent who could hit the scoreboard regardless of how his team was faring – his third Coleman was won in a year the Hawks earned the wooden spoon. 

Seemingly still at the peak of his powers, Peck finished at the club at the end of 1966, having just turned 29 years old. But his “retirement” was short-lived as he opted to play for VFA club Port Melbourne in the next two seasons.

Peck remains in seventh place on the club’s all-time goal kicking list.         

Cyril Rioli

Age retired: 28

Games: 189

Goals: 275

Cyril Rioli shocked the football world when he announced his retirement midway through the 2018 season.

The fan favourite cited that he had lost the “fire or that desire to compete” after a career that saw him win four premierships, three All Australians and a Norm Smith Medal.

Rioli’s father had been dealing with some health issues in the lead-up to the Hawks superstar’s decision, with Rioli highlighting his wishes to return home to Darwin to be closer to family.

Bert Hyde

Age retired: 28

Games: 129

Goals: 269

Another of the club’s goal kicking greats, another somewhat premature retirement.

Bert Hyde won the club’s leading goal kicker award five times in five consecutive years from 1926 to 1930. 

Despite winning just 11 of his 75 games across this period, Hyde impressively booted 219 goals across these five seasons.

The product of Monbulk decided to call it quits at the end of the 1935 season.

While Hyde’s retirement was a blow to the club’s on-field stocks, he remained an asset to the club, serving on many of its committees as well as spending time in recruiting, with the Past Players Association and holding a role in the media.