Rich was all class in gathering 21 disposals as the Lions snuck home by nine points at the Gabba.
The 18-year-old, taken number seven overall in last year’s NAB AFL National Draft, looked right at home at the AFL level with his poise and penetrating left foot highlights.
When his team was trailing by 38 points during the second quarter, it was the young man dubbed ‘Bam Bam’ by his teammates that started turning things around.
First he hit captain Jonathan Brown with a perfect 50m pass, then steadied in traffic to locate Travis Johnstone free inside the forward 50. Both assists led directly to goals.
And after a media ban was slapped on him during the pre-season, Rich was equally cool speaking to journalists after his first-up performance.
‘’It’s a bit surreal but just an amazing feeling to get the win with the boys and finally get my opportunity at AFL which has been my dream since I was a tacker, so it was great,’’ he said.
‘’You never really feel comfortable playing AFL footy, especially in your first game, but the boys helped me settle in well and it was good to get a touch fairly early.’’
After growing up in Western Australia and winning two WAFL premierships with Subiaco, Rich was an Eagles supporter as a youngster.
But the composed teenager said there was no room for sentiment once he stepped across the line.
‘’It was good fun out there,’’ he said.
‘’The speed, skills, the mature bodies, but it wasn’t too far off what I’ve been playing back home at Subiaco.
‘’Once I step over the line I’m Brisbane through and through ... Once the siren’s gone, I’m mates with them again but once I’m across the line it’s a battle.’’
Rich had his parents, other family and friends fly in from Western Australia to see his debut.
And despite being touted as a potential round-one inclusion from the moment he came to Brisbane, Rich said he never placed any expectations on himself, and he was happy to take things day by day and week by week.
‘’I love all the preparation for next week’s game, al the small things that’s part of footy,’’ he said.
‘’I’ll be stoked to get another opportunity next week but I’ll just do all the things right this week and have trust in the recovery staff and hopefully get up.’’
