As season-defining setbacks go, Alex Rance’s knee reconstruction has turned out alright for Richmond.

When Rance went down in the round-one AFL win over Carlton, the popular opinion was that eventually it would catch up with the Tigers.

Surely – no matter how well they covered his loss – at some point late in the season his absence would bite them.

They’re still waiting.

Richmond will carry an 11-game winning streak into Saturday’s grand final against GWS.

In that streak, no opponent has kicked more than 13 goals.

Defenders Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli are their 2019 All-Australians and Nick Vlastuin and David Astbury have also been outstanding.

Their back six or seven is settled, well-drilled and rock solid.

“It would be great to have him back and I would take him back in a heartbeat,” Grimes said of Rance.

“It’s been in some ways probably my most challenging year by a long way, but in other ways it’s been my most rewarding year.

“You rely on your best players to play well and when they’re not there you have to step up and rather than having one or two step up. We’ve tried to make it a collective effort to fill in that hole.

“We’ve learnt a lot collectively and as individuals but there will be no bigger challenge than tomorrow.”

Just as Richmond have Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt as their deadly key-forward duo, Jeremy Cameron and Jeremy Finlayson lead a potent Giants attack.

Toby Greene, so influential in the rugged semi-final win over Brisbane, also drifts forward to lethal effect and Brent Daniels’ match-winning goal at The Gabba showcased his blistering speed.

For all the frantic dam-walling that marked the end of the preliminary final win over Collingwood, the Giants’ third-quarter goals onslaught was again irresistible football.

Grimes, Richmond’s No.1 option for Cameron, knows what’s coming.

“He’s a terrific player, he won the Coleman for a reason and he’s been able to perform so consistently in big games throughout the season,” Grimes said.

“It will be a big challenge for sure, but we approach every good opposition forward the same way.

“It’s a really back seven approach and this week will be no different.

“I will definitely spend some time on him as well Bachar at various stages, but we’re excited by the challenge – we’re under no illusions.”