TEN YEARS after bursting onto the scene as a Rising Star winner, Daniel Rich is ready to turn heads again in 2019, says Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko. 

Rich is the only surviving member from the Lions' last finals appearance in 2009 and Zorko believes the sniff of September action has the blonde-haired West Australian primed to recapture his best form.

"’Richy’ has tasted finals … and I feel like he can taste finals, hopefully for our club, not too far into the future and he wants to be a part of it," Zorko said.

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"I'm really excited to see his growth and his game go to the next level. 

"He's probably stagnated over the last few years, but what he's been able to do in the back half of the pre-season has been really exciting."

Rich is 28, entering his 11th year and has 183 games to his name.

This pre-season is among his best, with an injury-free preparation seeing him complete the entire training load.

Brisbane's backline has a look of solidity to it with Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner, Luke Hodge, Alex Witherden and Josh Walker, but a patchy 2018 left Rich slightly vulnerable.

He played 18 games, including the final 17 after a round one ankle injury, but with speedster Zac Bailey joining the backline mix, needed a strong pre-season.

Zorko said Rich's leadership has also improved in recent years, helping Witherden, Bailey and Cedric Cox develop as players.