Brisbane veteran Daniel Rich declares Lions better placed than ever for AFL glory

In his 15 years at the Brisbane Lions, one star veteran says he’s never seen a team more ready to win the AFL premiership.

Lachie Neale says the Lions have players all over the ground contributing. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale insists his side’s lack of representation in the All-Australian team is a “positive” heading into the AFL finals series as retiring stalwart Daniel Rich declared this season was the Lions’ best chance of winning the premiership in his 15 years at the club.

Despite the Lions finishing second on the ladder and winning 17 matches during the regular season, livewire forward Charlie Cameron was the only Brisbane player named in this year’s All-Australian outfit.

Neale, a three-time All-Australian representative, was a controversial omission from the 2023 representative outfit, while teammates Harris Andrews, Joe Daniher and Josh Dunkley could also consider themselves unlucky to be overlooked.

“I understand those teams and how hard they are to crack into,” Brisbane co-captain Neale said ahead of the Lions’ qualifying final against Port Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night.

“There are some superstar players around the competition. I still feel like I‘ve had a really strong contribution to the team this year and what we’re trying to achieve, so I know within the four walls they appreciate my work.

Lachie Neale is ready for some attention against Port Adelaide. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I’ve been around long enough to not let those decisions and accolades affect me going forward and my mindset.

“As a group as well, we just had Charlie in the team, so to finish second on the ladder, and only have one All-Australian, I think it‘s actually a positive.

“It just shows how even the contributions have been this year. I feel like as a midfield group as well, we were number one in clearances for the year, so we feel like we‘re doing a lot of things right.

“I know I’ve played my part in that, and so have a lot of others that roll through there, so it‘s a testament to the team and it just shows how even it has been.

“To finish second, and only have one in it, I think it‘s a good thing.”

While several Lions have contributed to Brisbane’s impressive season, 33-year-old Rich has struggled with form and injuries, which led to him announcing his retirement on Monday.

The veteran is clinging on to the slim hope that he can reclaim his place in Brisbane’s line-up during the finals series, but if not, he has accepted that his AFL career is over.

“There‘s still some work to be done,” Rich said.

“If that (a senior recall) happens, that’d be amazing. If it doesn’t, I can still play a part in a different way.”

Daniel Rich says the Lions will never have a better chance to win the flag. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Rich, who debuted for the Lions in 2009, said Brisbane had never been better placed to win a flag during his time at the club.

“We’ve got a pretty talented team, and we’ve definitely learned a lot over the last four or five years with those finals experiences,” he said.

“The young guys have got more games into them and experienced those finals games, so there’s no reason why this year can‘t be ours.

“We’ve still got a pretty exciting month and a lot of work to do against the best sides in the competition. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ve put ourselves in a great position.”