Brisbane Lions Vice-Captain Daniel Rich has spoken of the positive shift within the club which has spurred on a recent increase of contract re-signings.
The off-season saw the Lions re-sign 10 players including Vice-Captain’s Dayne Zorko and Pearce Hanley as well as Stefan Martin, Mitch Robinson, Marco Paparone, Harris Andrews, Ryan Harwood, Jaden McGrath, Rohan Bewick and Josh Clayton.
And, speaking to Fox Footy today, Rich said his contract negotiations are nearing final stages during in an exciting time for the Club.
"I think you’ve seen it over the past six to 18 months, there’s been a lot of other guys re-sign so it’s not only me but a lot of other guys see the club in an exciting stage,” Rich told Fox Footy.
"We’re in a position where we can grow and grow. We are a young side but we’ve got a lot of exciting young players and I just want to be a part of that."
Fellow Vice-Captain Dayne Zorko recently re-signed which will see him remain at the Hyundai Centre until at least the end of 2020, meaning he could potentially become a Lion for life.
“It’s just another positive sign,” Rich on Zorko’s re-signing.
"He’s (Zorko) a quality player and a great person, so to have those sorts of players and those types of people commit to the Club longer term is just fantastic. Just another positive addition and I’m hoping to join him.”
On top of Zorko’s re-signing we have seen Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch put pen to paper in a contract extension that will take him to the end of 2017 and Rich believes he’s got the boys going in the right direction.
“He’s been really good for the young boys and is understanding of the way people go about things – the way each kind of footballer acts and reacts,” Rich told Fox Footy.
“He’s on his own little journey as well, he’s had some tough times in a team that’s not performing too well but he knows, like us, that it’s not too far around the corner.
“He’s done all he can as a coach to get us back on the right path and push us in the right direction."
Coming off a knee reconstruction last year, Rich has shown a strong return to footy and at just 25, still has his best footy ahead of him.
He kicked off his 2016 campaign recording 28 possessions (16 contested), 10 inside 50s and 10 score involvements in the Lions final NAB Challenge clash against the GWS Giants last week.
“I learnt a lot of things in my year off. I got to take a step back from the game and do a bit of coaching and look at the game in a different light.”
“I was lucky that it was a contact injury so I don’t have it in the back of my head that might happen again due to changing direction or jump and land.
“I don’t feel 25 around the young boys at the club, we have a lot of young boys so I feel like a bit of a veteran - I’m excited that my best footy is ahead of me and I’m looking forward to producing that over the next few years that’s for sure.”
"I think the Club's in very good hands and as I mentioned before, I just want to be a part of it. A great list of young guys and we’re all building together, so we’re excited,” said Rich.
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