Daniel Rich determined to atone for poor 2016 and make Brisbane Lions relevant again

BRISBANE vice-captain Daniel Rich is determined to atone for a poor 2016 and says the entire Lions playing group wants to make the club relevant again.

Brisbane Lions pre-season training. Picture: Jono Searle

LION Daniel Rich says he is determined to atone for a poor 2016 and remind the footy world he can be one of the better players in the competition.

He said every Lion shared a hunger to make major improvements on last season, where they won just three games, and he said that collective motivation should lead ensure the Lions are no longer whipping boys.

Rich has another four years to run on a lucrative five year deal and said he wants to prove he is worth the investment.

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“Absolutely, for sure, last year was disappointing individually and more importantly as a team,’’ he said.

“The facts are if everyone is improving, including me, the team is going to improve as a by-product of that.

“A hundred per cent I have got a lot of improvement left in my game and I think as the team improves I will improve, that’s the focus.’’

Josh Schache at Brisbane Lions pre-season training. Picture: Jono Searle

Brisbane’s vice-captain became the latest Lion to use the club’s new buzz word when he said the desire to be “relevant” would drive them over a hit summer.

He also said the playing group was rejuvenated under new coach Chris Fagan.

“It’s a nice fresh start, the team wants to become relevant again in the AFL world,’’ he said.

“We are just doing what we can, each session is just as important as the previous one and the next one.

“We are looking forward to what is to come.’’

It was a toasty 29C when the Lions hit the track at the QE2 stadium but Rich said the players were happy to be getting back to work.

“It was good to be back with all the boys again, I think that’s the main thing, day on one is all about getting together and getting stuck in and just enjoying it,’’ he said.

“Pre-season can be a long hard slog but it is what you make of it.’’

New Lions head coach Chris Fagan gets involved at training. Picture: Jono Searle

Eric Hipwood, Josh Walker, Marco Paparone and Tom Rockliff at Lions training. Picture: Jono Searle

Originally published as Daniel Rich determined to atone for poor 2016 and make Brisbane Lions relevant again