Brisbane’s improved defensive displays has Lions veteran Daniel Rich facing stint in the reserves

A “training block” could turn into a stint in the reserves for a Lions stalwart such is the form of Brisbane’s defensive unit.

Daniel Rich remains on the selection outer at the Lions. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Veteran Lions defender Daniel Rich may have to force his way back into Brisbane’s top 22 via the club’s VFL team so happy was coach Chris Fagan with his side’s “stingy” display against Richmond.

Brisbane kicked 20 goals in demolishing the toothless Tigers by 81 points at the Gabba on Thursday night, but it was the Lions’ defensive effort in the 20.14 (134) to 7.11 (53) win that most pleased Fagan.

“We were good all game and we were good in all the facets,” Fagan said.

“Our contest numbers are incredibly good, but the most pleasing part about it was our team defence.

“I just thought we were stingy. They didn’t get a lot of inside 50s. We cut off a lot of their plays.

“They got a little bit of flow occasionally, but Richmond usually get a lot more than that.

“That was our biggest focus coming into the game, to stop that run-forward, handball chain game that they play when they play their very best footy, and I thought our ball use was very good.”

The Lions celebrate during their thrashing of Richmond at the Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

But Fagan was unsure whether it was Brisbane’s best performance of the season due to how poor the Tigers were after having last weekend off.

“It’s just very hard to say. I don’t know if Richmond are like other teams off the bye. They’ve suffered a bit from having a week off,” Fagan said.

“I know they had some players in tonight that hadn’t played much footy. All that adds up.

“I wouldn’t have thought that’s a true indication of Richmond’s capacity, but we did play well.”

It was Brisbane’s third successive win after a mid-season hiccup of consecutive losses to Adelaide and Hawthorn.

“The Hawthorn game made us put the spotlight back on team defence,” Fagan said.

“It was a big thing we worked on over the pre-season and for most of our games this year it’s been pretty strong, just not in round 1 against Port, (and) not against Hawthorn.

“We’ve got a group of players that are hellbent on improvement, which is the main thing.”

It was after the 25-point loss to the Hawks that Rich and fellow veteran Jack Gunston were dropped following a “conversation” with Fagan.

At the time, the decision was made not to use either player in the reserves but rather improve their form and fitness via a “training block”.

However, Rich is now seemingly facing a VFL stint in the hope of winning back his spot in Brisbane’s top-flight backline.

“I’m pretty sure Daniel Rich won’t mind that he’ll have to force his way back into the team,” Fagan said.

“Maybe he’s going to have to come through the reserves but that’s OK. You need that competition in teams, and he’s a great team man, and he’ll understand that.”

The Lions are set to be without the unlucky Callum Ah Chee for Saturday week’s home clash against the West Coast Eagles after he was concussed in Thursday night’s final quarter when he crashed into Nathan Broad’s shoulder while attempting a tackle.

“It’s a real pity because every time he (Ah Chee) comes in something happens to him and I thought in the second half he was really starting to get going,” Fagan said.

Star midfielder Josh Dunkley was replaced at three-quarter-time by substitute Darcy Fort because of a calf issue, but he’s unlikely to miss the clash against the Eagles.

“He just had a ‘corky’. We didn’t need to take any risks. He was not that keen to come off,” Fagan said.

Originally published as Brisbane’s improved defensive displays has Lions veteran Daniel Rich facing stint in the reserves