Brisbane veteran Daniel Rich faces fight to play finals with the Lions

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has no room for sentiment as he plots his team’s path to the AFL finals.

Brisbane Lions head coach Chris Fagan won’t pick platers on sentiment. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Lions coach Chris Fagan insists there will be no room for sentiment when it comes to Daniel Rich’s hopes of being part of Brisbane’s September push for an AFL premiership.

A veteran of 275 appearances for the Lions, Rich, 33, has endured a rough season, with a loss of form and injuries limiting him to just seven AFL matches.

Currently nursing a hamstring problem, Rich knows he’s at long odds to force his way back into Brisbane’s in-form defensive unit and admits that retirement could be on the cards at season’s end.

A flag would be the perfect way for Rich to hang up his boots, such has been his contribution to the club since making his AFL debut for the Lions in 2009.

However, he this week said he didn’t want to be a “distraction” would be “so happy for the boys” if they won a premiership without him.

Fagan said it was tough to witness Rich’s battle with form and fitness but praised him for his positive attitude.

“It’s going to be hard for him (to get back in the team) because he’s missed so much football,” the Lions coach said ahead of Brisbane’s clash with St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday.

“But that won’t stop him from trying and we want him to try because you never know what’s ahead, what injuries you might get and what you might need

Daniel Rich is unlikely get his dream ending. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“All I can think of is what a great person he is, and how selfless he is, and how much he cares about the team.

“Daniel’s one of maybe eight players that are left from when I first came here (in 2017). He’s seen the bad times and he’s been experiencing some of the good times in the last few years.

“You want it for them because you know they deserve it, but that’s not life unfortunately. There’s not many fairytales going around.”

The Lions will guarantee themselves a top-two spot – and two finals matches at the Gabba, where they are yet to lose this season ­– with a win over the Saints, who can make certain of a home game in the first week of the finals series by beating Brisbane.

“Coming into this game, their form has been really consistent,” Fagan said of the Ross Lyon-coached outfit.

“We know what’s coming, so we’ll be ready.”

The Lions have made one change to the 22 selected for last Friday’s win over Collingwood, with experienced midfielder Jarrod Lyons ­­– who was the substitute against the Magpies ­­– coming in for injured forward Linc McCarthy (calf).

“Jarryd played really well when he came on last week and he deserves his opportunity,” Fagan said.

“That’s the criteria. Linc will be available next game so that might change things again, but that’s a reward for (Lyons’) effort.”

Originally published as Brisbane veteran Daniel Rich faces fight to play finals with the Lions