AFL: Daniel Rich praises his Brisbane Lions teammates after earning All-Australian selection

Daniel Rich has been quick to acknowledge his Brisbane Lions teammates after being named in this season’s All-Australian team.

Daniel Rich (right) battles with Fremantle’s David Mundy at Optus Stadium. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions veteran Daniel Rich has lavished praise on his Brisbane teammates after securing his first All-Australian blazer.

Rich, 31, was the only Lions player named in the AFL’s 2021 All-Australian team, being selected on the half-back flank follow a stellar season for Brisbane.

It’s a selection that has been a long time coming for Rich, who is in the 13th season with the Lions after being chosen as the seventh pick in the 2008 national draft.

“I’m really thankful for the award ... but I.m under no illusions that my teammates are a massive part of it,” Rich said.

“It’s probably my most consistent season but once again, that consistency is based on the team playing well.

“Especially as a backman you rely a lot on what’s happening up the field and the boys ahead of us did a really good job.

“I’m a small piece of the puzzle. There’s a lot of work that goes into what we do as a team.”

Daniel Rich on the run for the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

That team mantra means that Rich would gladly give up his individual recognition for a premiership.

Chasing their first flag since 2003, the Lions meet minor premiers Melbourne in Saturday night’s qualifying final at Adelaide Oval.

“They finished top of the ladder for a reason. They deserve to be favourites – they’re a very good team,” Rich said of the Demons.

“We’re under no illusions – it’s going to be a tough game. But that’s the good thing about finishing in the top four – you give yourself the double chance.

“If we can’t get it done this weekend, we get another chance.

“It’s a massive cliche, one week at a time, but that’s what it is in finals.

“We’re in the finals, we’re in the hunt for what we all want to achieve as a footy club.”

A Perth product, Rich likes the idea of winning a grand final in Western Australia, with Optus Stadium to be the venue for next month’s decider if the MCG is ruled out due to the ramifications of Covid-19.

“Last year you would have said you never would have thought there’d be a grand final at the Gabba and it (a grand final outside Victoria) is potentially going to happen again in the west,” Rich said.

“We played there a few weeks ago and it’s a great stadium. We really enjoy playing there as a footy club but there’s a lot of work to be done before we can be chatting about that.”

Originally published as AFL: Daniel Rich praises his Brisbane Lions teammates after earning All-Australian selection