Brown says Rich, the No.7 selection at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, was in the running for a round one debut against the West Coast Eagles.
That, along with his impressive pre-season form, might be a reason why four AFL captains named the young Western Australian as their pick for this year’s NAB Rising Star Award.
“I think he’ll go close to playing round one,” Brown said at Docklands on Thursday.
“He’s a prodigious kick and he’s going to be a great talent.”
This season Rich is expected to play a midfield role alongside the likes of Simon Black, Luke Power, Travis Johnstone and Bradd Dalziell.
Brown doesn’t think stepping straight into the rigours of AFL football will be a problem.
“I suppose the thing on his side at the moment is he’s played a lot of senior footy already for Subiaco [and] he’s already built like a 25-year-old,” the Lions skipper said.
“So physically you’re not too worried about him, it’s just how he picks up the speed of the game.
“I think he’ll handle that; he’s a very intelligent player and I’m sure he’ll play a fair few games this year.”
Brown also named youngsters Matthew Leuenberger and Mitch Clark as two younger players “set to take off” for the Lions in 2009.
Dream Team watch – Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich is rated a $126,600 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
