Brisbane Lions’ lack of finals experience no issue for current crop, says Daniel Rich

He might be the last player left to feature in finals for Brisbane, but Daniel Rich is confident inexperience on the big stage won’t be an issue for the Lions in September.

Daniel Rich celebrates a recent win with two other experienced finals campaigners — Luke Hodge and coach Chris Fagan. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Brisbane’s last remaining finals player Daniel Rich has declared the Lions’ lack of September experience to be no issue for a side that that was growing in maturity and had come to love the big occasions.

Four-time premiership star Luke Hodge, grand final players Lachie Neale and Charlie Cameron along with Jarryd Lyons, Mitch Robinson, Lincoln McCarthy and Rich are the only Lions from the side that lost to Richmond on Sunday to have played finals.

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And those players, except for Rich whose two finals were at the Gabba and Marvel Stadium, are also the only ones to have experienced a crowd as big as the 76,995 who jammed into the MCG on Sunday.

Rich said he did not expect to be bombarded with teammates seeking advice on how to cope with big finals as there were players with longer resumes than his.

And he has sensed over the past two weeks, especially after overcoming a slow start against Richmond to claw back into the contest that the big crowds held no fears for his younger teammates.

Daniel Rich celebrates a recent win with two other experienced finals campaigners — Luke Hodge and coach Chris Fagan. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“I was the last player to put on a Lions jumper to play finals but there is a lot of other guys that have played in bigger games than myself. I will be chatting to those guys as will everyone else in the week to come,’’ he said.

“But I think the group is really quite mature and prepares well.

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“The last two weeks have been great stepping stones into the finals against two really good teams in front of really big crowds and the boys are really enjoying it.’’

Daniel Rich has enjoyed a career-best season off halfback. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

After the game several Lions registered surprise that the previous week’s clash with Geelong at the Gabba had seemed to be louder — which Rich said had become a major advantage for the Lions and one the players would feed off.

“Our crowd supports us so well and we will be embracing that,’’ he said.

“There is nothing better than a packed Gabba. It is one of the loudest grounds in Australia.’’

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