Rich arrived at the Lions from Subiaco in Western Australia courtesy of Pick No.7 at the 2008 NAB AFL National Draft and went on to win the 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star award in a landslide after a stunning debut season.
Despite receiving far greater attention from opposition taggers in 2010, the booming left-footer still managed to average a career-best 19.4 disposals per game and post his second consecutive top ten finish on Club Champion night.
Three games into Season 2011 and Rich has stepped it up again, averaging 21 disposals per game and taking on far greater responsibility in the midfield.
Now, on the eve of his 50th AFL game this Thursday night against St Kilda at the Gabba and with a promising group of younger team-mates coming through, Rich can rightly consider himself a more senior member of the Lions’ side despite still only being 20 years of age.
“It has gone pretty quickly to be honest,” Rich said about the early stages of his AFL career.
“That’s the great thing about footy - it makes you grow up pretty quickly.”
“But that’s why it’s good to have younger guys at the Club. They keep you on your toes.”
Quite remarkably, Rich has not missed a senior match since making his debut in Round 1 of 2009 against West Coast. His streak of 49 consecutive matches is the most of any current Lions player.
“Touch wood I can make it 50 straight,” Rich laughed. “But I don’t want to jinx it.”
He said there was no secret to his durability other than diligence when preparing for matches.
“There’s not just one thing. It’s just making sure you do everything the Club asks you to do in terms of looking after your body.”
“I owe a lot of it to the Club and my team-mates who have helped me get here,” he said.
Rich said the team was prepared for this Thursday night's tough test against reigning Grand Finalists St Kilda in front of what he hopes will be a big Gabba crowd.
“They’re obviously a great team and played off in the Grand Final last year,” Rich said.
“But every week is tough in football these days no matter who you’re playing.”
“It’s a big game and we don’t get too many opportunities to play in Thursday/Friday night matches at home.”
Both teams are still yet to secure a win in 2011 and should be fresh after coming off a scheduled Bye Round last weekend.
“The break was good,” Rich said.
“I enjoyed a bit of time away with a few of the boys and went camping which was a bit of fun. There were a bunch of us who went, including Jack Redden, Matt Austin, Matthew Leuenberger, Rohan Bewick, Niall McKeever, Tom Collier and Todd Banfield.”
“It was something a bit different. It’s good to get around the fire with no TV and just freshen the mind.”
“We got out in the sun and did some fishing, although it wasn’t very successful. But myself, Toddy Banfield and Niall need as much sun as we can get!”
