When fronting the media at the Gabba on Tuesday, Daniel Rich couldn’t help but feel that his 100-game milestone had “come around quickly”.

It seems like just yesterday that the Lions struck gold when Rich slipped to Pick No.7 at the 2008 AFL National Draft, after being touted as a likely top three selection.

Easily distinguishable by his blonde locks and lethal left foot, it took little time for the West Australian to become a crowd favourite at the Gabba.

Rich went on to enjoy a superb debut season and capped it off by winning the AFL Rising Star award.

He also played a key role in the team’s 2009 Finals campaign, which to this day remains his only appearance in September.

Four full seasons have passed since he first burst onto the AFL scene, over which time he’s finished Runner-Up in the Club Champion award, assumed a leadership position, been part of a pre-season premiership, and become the only player in Lions history to have won the Michael Tuck Medal.

Now, as he prepares for his 100th AFL match with the Club, Rich’s name will be immortalised on the Number 10 locker alongside two former greats in Marcus Ashcroft and Laurie Serafini.

The West Australian now proudly calls Brisbane ‘home’ and, having recently extended his playing contract and become engaged, he looks set to remain in Queenslander for longer still.

And with Rich set to turn 24 in June, it’s fair to say his AFL story has only really just begun.