Daniel Rich Biography

Daniel Rich will remain at the Lions in a wide-ranging role after calling time on his 275-game career at the end of last season.

The 33-year-old has opted to stay in Queensland rather than returning to Western Australia and will continue to work for the same organisation where he has spent the past 15 years.

Matt Rosa will join Essendon as AFL Talent & Operations Manager.

"After going through a thorough process, it is clear there is a strong commitment to do the hard work required to set up a period of sustained success. I'm looking forward to being part of that journey," Rosa said.

"This is a great opportunity for me and I'm excited to be able to build upon a talented young list and help this club strive for success. Essendon is a special club with a rich football history and my family and I are excited to be part of its future."

Daniel Rich says he has not made a decision on his playing future beyond this year but is prepared for life after footy when the time comes.

Rich has endured a rough 2023 and is still two weeks away from being considered for selection as he nurses a hamstring injury back to full strength.

"We'll cross that bridge at the end of the year and have a chat," Rich said.

"It's pretty black and white that I'm not getting any younger and that's the lay of the land.

"I don’t want to be a distraction. There's still plenty of time, the finals are a new season and I want to … be ready if I'm needed."

Ahead of his 250th game, Daniel Rich credits Brisbane coach Chris Fagan for saving his career.

"For me personally, our first meeting, one of the things he said to me was 'your best footy is ahead of you'. 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," Rich said.

"There were those doubts along the way that I'm not good enough, especially when the team's battling as well I think to have your head coach, someone new, who'd done a lot in the game, to come in and say your best footy is ahead of you, it gives you a bit of a kick, which is good."

Daniel Rich signs a new one-year deal with Brisbane to remain at the club until the end of 2023, thereby removing himself from the free-agent list.

Daniel Rich has found a new lease of life under coach Chris Fagan in 2019 after seemingly having plateaued as a player.

"When Fages first got here, one of the things he said was that he thought my best footy was ahead of me, which is always nice to hear," Rich said.

"That extra belief was a great support. When your head coach is saying that to you, it gives you a bit of extra confidence.

"He encourages you to work on your weapons. He's got a big interest in what you're doing and how you are as a person.

"It makes you feel, in a way, that you're out there playing for him. He's got your back and you're going to do all you can to help him out as coach."

Daniel Rich says he's enjoying the game more than ever.

"The last few years we haven't won many games, but it's been really enjoyable coming to work, it's felt different," Rich said.

Rich explained the reasons he has chosen to stay in Brisbane throughout his career thus far.

"I'm a pretty loyal person. You get offers and opportunities to do other things, but the club's been great to me and looked after me and it's the way it works," he said.

"Brisbane as a place I really enjoy, I can live a lifestyle away from footy, go down the coast (to surf), get on the golf course. There's a variety of reasons."

Daniel Rich will be sidelined for an indefinite period after rupturing a ligament at the front of his left ankle.

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch puts the onus on Daniel Rich to work through tags.

Rich was a first-quarter star in Brisbane's 49-point loss to West Coast, racking up 13 influential disposals as the Lions trailed by a single point, before the Eagles sent stopper Mark Hutchings to him.

For the final three quarters, Rich had just seven touches, including three when the Lions were blown away in the second term.

"It's something he has to overcome and we have to help him do it, no doubt," Leppitsch said.

"I think he has got the physical capabilities, everyone does.

"Sometimes it's not always run, sometimes you use your body against your opposition if you don't have the run.

"There's different ways to do it, you just have to find a plan and stick to it."

Gavin Wanganeen will swell with pride when the Bombers run out wearing a guernsey he designed for the 'Dreamtime at the 'G' clash with Richmond in round 10.

Wanganeen said his design represents the connection between the club and the Indigenous community.

The jumper features 23 U-shapes – symbolising indigenous footballers to have played for Essendon – moving towards a circle in the middle of the Dons' sash, which represents the club.

"It is an honour to not only have played for this great club, but to tell the story through art of how my people have contributed to the Essendon Football Club's rich history and to the great game that is AFL," Wanganeen said.

Daniel Rich looks set to become a Lion for life after signing a five-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2021.

"I think it's every AFL player's dream to be a one-club player, and now I'm in the position for that to be the case for me," Rich said.

"I love it here in Brisbane. I love the club. I love the boys. It was a no-brainer."

Dayne Beams and Daniel Merrett have been appointed vice-captains of the Brisbane Lions after the struggling club issued a virtual call to arms among its most experienced campaigners.

Ex-Magpie Beams, the joint club champion in his debut season with the Lions last year, and elder statesman Merrett join deputies Dayne Zorko, Pearce Hanley and Daniel Rich in an expanded leadership group under second-year captain Tom Rockliff.

Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch says the team can do more to help vice-captain Daniel Rich overcome his recent run of poor form.

Rich has topped 20 disposals just once in his past six outings.

"We've started him at half-back, lost Rocky (captain Tom Rockliff), put him through the midfield and a bit of half-forward, so we've mixed him around a bit," Leppitsch said.

"It's probably half the player, half us really.

"While he hasn't been at his best, I think there's some things we could do to settle him down a bit."

Daniel Rich is leaving no stone unturned on his recovery from a knee reconstruction, enlisting the help of Australia's greatest ever female distance runner to improve his running.

"I wanted to take my fitness up another notch and Benita was fantastic," Rich said.

"It was about being able to run with quality runners and being able to do it at different locations with different people to keep the mind stimulated.

"I've definitely felt like my running's got a little bit better."

Daniel Rich's goal of playing in round one next year appears on track with the Brisbane Lions midfielder set to start the pre-season with his teammates.

The 24-year-old hasn't played since he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in round three this season against Gold Coast.

"I'm pretty much ready to go with the boys," Rich told radio station SEN.

"The young boys started back on Wednesday but I've been pretty much training the whole way through the break, a little bit modified here and there, but I'm pretty much ready to go for day one of pre-season and feeling pretty good.

"I'm feeling pretty fresh, almost like it's my first year again having sat out the whole of last year, so I'm pretty excited."

Daniel Rich will have a traditional knee reconstruction after tearing the ACL in his right knee against Gold Coast.

"Obviously it's a discussion for the surgeon and the player, but Dan will be getting a traditional reconstruction," Lions strength and conditioning coach Matt Hass said.

"It wasn't very good news for Dan, but if there is any silver lining it's that he hasn't done his PCL meniscus or lateral ligaments.

"It's purely an ACL, and they're slightly easier to reconstruct in rehab."

Daniel Rich is carried off Metricon Stadium with a possible rupture of his right anterior crucial ligament.

Daniel Rich and Jack Redden will play their 100th games together for the Brisbane Lions against Geelong at the Gabba in round 2.

"I'm pretty excited and honoured to run out in my 100th game with one of my good mates," Rich said.

"It's going to be a pretty special occasion.

"It's pretty exciting we can share this first little milestone together after having been through a fair bit together."

Brisbane Lions Jed Adcock, Daniel Rich and Simon Black have all gone in for surgeries.

Adcock and vice-captain Rich have both had minor ankle operations but are expected to return for pre-season training with the rest of the playing group on November 4.

Black has had surgery on both his left and right groins and knees.

Lions vice-captain Daniel Rich signs new three-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2016.

Daniel Rich says he is more than likely to sign on with the Brisbane Lions.

"The club and management have started discussions," Rich said.

"It's under way and it's an exciting time. I love the boys and I've made that clear over the last few years.

"I could have maybe gone somewhere else but chose to stay here (previously), so couldn't see why that's different."

The Brisbane Lions suffer a major blow with vice-captain Daniel Rich ruled out for eight weeks with a broken shoulder blade after colliding with a teammate at training.

Jonathan Brown says the Lions must do a better job of getting Daniel Rich the ball and protecting him from taggers.

"'Richy's' the prime target, especially with 'Blacky' not being out there, and I'm sure this week will be no different," Brown said.

"Teammates have got to go out of our way to get the ball in Daniel Rich's hands because he's our main offensive weapon. He's the best kick in the team."

Daniel Rich wins the Michael Tuck medal after a best on ground performance in the NAB Cup final against Carlton and Lions co-captain Jed Adcock believes Rich is getting closer to elite status.

"'Richy' has worked really hard this off-season to get to that next level of fitness and probably has taken the next step now," Adcock said.

Jed Adcock is named co-captain of the Lions and will lead the team alongside Jonathan Brown in 2013 while assisted by vice-captains Tom Rockliff and Daniel Rich.

"Jed has demonstrated outstanding leadership over his time at the Lions, and most specifically in his past four seasons as a vice-captain," Brisbane coach Michael Voss said.

"As we know, 'Browny' won't be around forever, and with Jed as co-captain, it will not only ease the load on 'Browny', but importantly they will both play a critical role in the continued development of Tom's and Daniel's leadership capabilities over the coming years.

"Jed is not only a leader on-field, he is an excellent representative of this footy club, and its culture and values."

Joel Patfull becomes the Lions' 2012 club champion with 34 points just ahead of Daniel Rich with 32.

"It's pretty significant for me. I've had some reasonably tough times over the years and I feel like I've had to work pretty hard to get where I am," Patfull said.

"I'm very proud … it's a magnificent award. I don't think it's sunk in but maybe over the next few days I'll realise how much it means to me."

Lions midfielder Daniel Rich says he is remorseful following a two-week suspension for rough conduct after pushing St Kilda's Clint Jones, causing the Saint to catapult into the boundary fence at the Gabba.

"I did regret what happened and do regret not being able to play my role for the team and be out there doing what I can to help get us wins," Rich said.

"It's something you regret and it's a spur of the moment kind of thing. It's obviously something I wasn't intentionally trying to do."

In the build-up to their clash with the Brisbane Lions, the Suns stoke the fire by placing a picture of Daniel Rich with drawn on devil horns, a goatee and glasses as well as an 'I love GC' fake tattoo on his arm on its website.

"The kids can do their finger paintings and the men will play footy this weekend," Lion Jack Redden said in response.

"It gives us more determination leading into this week to knock them off on their home deck."

Lions midfielder Daniel Rich says his last two seasons have not been up to scratch and he needs to step up in 2012.

"My own personal expectations and goals haven't been to where I want them and where the team needs them," Rich said.

"I'm really looking forward to this season. There's been a lot of focus on getting better as an individual over the pre-season.

"I've probably done a lot more than I have in previous years. Being able to do 85 to 90 per cent of the program definitely helps, being able to complete a lot of the sessions. Just doing it and enjoying it and having fun at the same time."

Daniel Rich is expecting to return to the form of his outstanding debut year after tearing in during pre-Christmas training.

It's been a big focus this pre-season to get fitter and stronger and have a big year," he said.

"There are a few bits and pieces I need to improve on and they've been a big focus this pre-season, working with the coaches … just the basics, the endurance, strength, simple things really have been a focus."

Daniel Rich will miss his first senior game since being recruited by the Lions, ending a run of 59 consecutive matches.

"'Richy's' been having an issue with his foot for the past few weeks," Lions physical performance manager Brett Burton said.

"It's a stress reaction. We've been monitoring and modifying his training loads, but unfortunately the injury has gotten worse so he's now unavailable for the next couple of weeks."

Brisbane Lions midfielder Daniel Rich says he wants to step up as a leader in just his third season at the club.

"I want to step up in away so I can pull others along and make everyone pull their weight, do everything right and live by our club standards and values," Rich said.

Lions midfielder Daniel Rich says he learnt more from his side's defeat to the Western Bulldogs in the semi-final than his personal achievements in 2009.

"To play in the finals and having that feeling of losing, that's what spurs you on," he said.

"Individual stuff doesn't matter. That's what I learnt from my first year - just that hurt of losing."

Rich says he is prepared to handle a tag from opposition teams after a stellar first year.

"If it happens, you take it as a compliment and it will be a good learning curve for me," Rich said.

"There are plenty of good players in our team if I get targeted. You've just got to work a bit harder and communicate with the other boys, sort out your blocks and things like that. It comes down to work rate and it's down to pre-season and getting fitter and stronger"

Daniel Rich becomes the first unanimous NAB AFL Rising Star winner since Jared Rivers in 2004.

Rich says he is enjoying playing for the Lions.

"I always supported the Eagles but I'm Brisbane through and through now. I didn't really think about it too much," he said.

"I like Brisbane. It has good weather and a good lifestyle. I wasn't disappointed. I just wanted the chance to play AFL and the opportunity to be at a club. Not being able to stay home didn't bother me whatsoever," he said.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss says 2009 NAB Rising Star winner Daniel Rich has earned respect with his talent and temperament.

"The big thing for Daniel is that he's earned his respect by just working hard," Voss said.

"He's earned his reputation within our group from the work ethic that he's been able to have."

"No matter what he achieves from this year on, we know that he's had some immediate impact on our group."

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss says draftee Daniel Rich would be the 'unluckiest person in history' to miss out on the NAB AFL Rising Star award after the young midfielder tallied 31 disposals and played a key role in the Lions defeating Fremantle by 15 points at Subiaco Oval.

"The way he's been able to conduct himself this year and the way he's played has belied his age," Voss said.

"I think he's grown into his role. I think he's grown into the club and he feels like he belongs there. He's making a valuable contribution.

"I'm not really tremendously into individual awards, but Daniel Rich would probably have to be the unluckiest person in history not to win the rising star this year."

Brisbane's Simon Black has a simple piece of advice for Daniel Rich when he returns home to WA this weekend - turn your phone off.

"You're only there once a year. All your family and your friends want to catch up with you and you've got to focus on the job at hand," Black said.

"If you worry about dividing your time between what your focus is and your family and friends, you will lose your focus on the game."

Defender Troy Chaplin and Daniel Pratt have failed to overturn their charges at the AFL tribunal.

Chaplin argued that he had no realistic alternative as he was committed to making a contest against Brisbane's Daniel Rich which the field umpire deemed as "late, unnecessary and unreasonable".

"I'm not sure what I'm expected to do in that situation," Chaplin told the tribunal via video link-up from Adelaide.

"I'm not sure how I could deviate when I've chosen to go."

The match review panel offers Melbourne Colin Sylvia four weeks for striking Scott Selwood, Jared Brennan gets offered one-week for headbutting Josh Carr and Troy Chaplin two weeks for striking Daniel Rich.

AIS-AFL high performance coach Jason McCartney has called for people to lay off Jack Watts.

"Jack Watts has copped a bit of heat unnecessarily," McCartney said on Wednesday at Docklands, the venue for the final day of the NAB AFLUnder-18 Championships.

"You can't compare him to Nic Naitanui, or Daniel Rich. Daniel Rich has played in two premierships for Subiaco - and has a big, strong body. Nic Naitanui played a year of senior football last year.

"Jack Watts is a schoolboy, who has played four TAC Cup games. It's hard to really compare those boys who get the opportunity to play some senior footy, it probably does help them."

Daniel Rich is fitting in well at the Lions and is sometimes still pinching himself as he continues to live out his dreams.

"I'm lucky enough to just be getting a game each week and living out my dream every weekend so for me every single game I play is exciting," he said.

"I didn't have many expectations coming in. I didn't have a clue what it was like. Playing senior footy in WA was a step between but here it's your whole life.

"Once you're out there it's just another game of footy but when you're sitting at home I think ˜I'm just 18 and playing AFL' which is pretty amazing."

Daniel Rich is the NAB AFL Rising Star Nominee for Round One following his strong debut for Brisbane.

Michael Voss says Daniel Rich's game against West Coast surpassed his expectations.

Daniel Rich described his debut performance for the Brisbane Lions as surreal after he helped engineer a huge first round comeback victory over the West Coast Eagles on Saturday night.

Rich was all class in gathering 21 disposals as the Lions snuck home by nine points at the Gabba.

Brisbane Lions vice-captain Simon Black has warned it will take time before the club reaps the full dividends from blue-chip investment Daniel Rich.