Lions veteran Daniel Rich says Brisbane coach Chris Fagan “saved” his career.
Rich, who turns 32 in June, will make his 250th appearance for the Lions when first-placed Brisbane aims for a fourth-straight win on Friday night against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
However, his AFL journey, which started in 2009 after he was chosen by the Lions in the 2008 national draft, may have already ended if not for Fagan’s intervention.
Having taken charge of the Lions ahead of the 2017 season, Fagan never doubted Rich’s ability as a footballer, but felt it could be put to better use in defence rather than his previous midfield position.
“One of the things he said to me was ‘your best footy is ahead of you’,” Rich said on Tuesday when recalling his first meeting with “father figure” Fagan.
“I hadn’t really heard that before. I was in the second half of my career, and to have that faith from your head coach was pretty special.
“I was just an average midfielder, but he just thought ‘why don’t we see how things go down back?’
“If that decision wasn’t made and the faith from him, I don’t think I’d potentially be here.
“To be honest, that’s kind of saved my career.”
Having been moved to the defence, the revitalised Rich’s form went to another level, and he last year was named in the All-Australian team.
“I think to have your head coach, someone new, who’d done a lot in the game, come in and xjmtzywsay your best footy is ahead of you, it gives you a bit of a kick, which is good,” the WA product said.
Only three players – triple premiership-winning trio Simon Black (322), Luke Power (282) and Jonathan Brown (256) – have played more games for the Lions since Brisbane’s merger with Fitzroy 25 years ago.
“I backed in the club to get where we are today,” Rich said.
“They’ve given me so much and in return I wanted to stick fat.
“It was only natural with the amount of work and support they put into me that I return the favour.
“We’re in a pretty good spot now and I’m humbled to be a part of it.”
That “good spot” can become ever better if the Lions beat the Cats this week.
When the teams met at the same venue last year, Geelong won a controversial clash by just one point.
“We got pretty close last year, but it’s a challenge the boys are looking forward to,” Rich said.
“They’ve been a good team for a long period of time.
“They’re experienced, they’re big, they’re strong. … that’s the way they’ve been for as long as I can remember.”
