The 19-year-old midfielder claimed a maximum 45 votes to beat Adelaide’s Andy Otten (30 votes) and Essendon defender Tayte Pears (28).
Rich is one of only eight Lions players to play all 22 matches this season, but he doesn’t feel any more at home in the AFL than he did in round one.
“You never really feel comfortable,” Rich said.
“Robert Harvey said that at the end of his career, he said you never really feel comfortable going into every game and he was spot on.”
“Even going into last week’s game I didn’t feel comfortable because the comp is just such an exciting and such a hard competition.”
The groundwork for Rich’s stellar debut season was laid over the previous two years when he won back-to-back premierships with Subiaco in the WAFL.
Rich says the strength of the WAFL was a major factor in getting him ready for the rigors of AFL competition.
“The WAFL is a great comp to be involved in, it was definitely a good stepping stone into the AFL,” Rich said.
“There have been so many players who have been through the AFL system and know what it’s all about.”
“It was easy to sit down and talk with those kind of players and ask questions about what it’s like in the AFL, so it was kind of a kick start going into the system.”
Rich was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star after picking up 21 disposals in the Lions nin- point win over the Eagles at the Gabba in round one.
Despite being the red hot favourite to take out the title since that game, the teenager with the raking left foot says he felt no extra pressure during the season.
“I don’t really focus on outside expectations and influences,” Rich said.
“If I earn the respect of my teammates and the coaching staff and they’re happy with how I’m going, then that’s what makes me happy and makes me sleep well at night.”
He is hoping the Lions first finals appearance since 2004 is the start of a new dynasty for the Lions.
“The club is looking very promising for the future and I like to see myself as a pretty loyal person so we’ll see how it goes,” Rich said.
“There’s not much fear in the group at all, it’s more excitement and hunger, they haven’t been there (finals) for a number of years/
"The club is really looking forward to this weekend.”
