Before Brisbane Lions fans get too excited by the headline, it’s important to note that Daniel Rich unfortunately won’t play again this season.

That much was known when scans revealed he had ruptured his ACL against the Gold Coast in Round 4.

But rather than a full 12-month rehabilitation, Rich’s surgeon Julian Feller expects the left-footer will be ‘match ready’ in 9-10 months.

Feller also said that Rich could be ready to train with the group as early as the end of the season.

Although it’s hard to claim a 9-10 month injury as ‘good news’, it at least means that the 23-year-old should be fit and ready for Round 1 in 2015.

Brett Burton of the Bupa Support Team attended Rich’s surgery in Melbourne last week, and said all had gone to plan.  

“Richy’s recovering really well,” Burton told LIONS TV as part of the Bupa Recovery Report.

“He’s still in Melbourne and has a surgeon’s appointment on Thursday. After that, he’ll come back up to Brissy and start the rehab process.”