Ever since a sparkling debut season, Daniel Rich has been attracting opposition attention. A damaging left boot combined with a strong ability to find the footy has made him one of Brisbane’s most potent attacking weapons, and nowadays most of his opponents will stop at nothing to try and shut him down.

For decades the competitions’ gun midfielders have tried a number of techniques to counter a tight tag, and now it seems Rich has come up with his own – just make every post a winner.

Faced with experienced Saints stopper Clint Jones on Saturday night, Rich turned on a blisteringly effective first half. His 11 disposals to half time paled in comparison to the likes of Rockliff and Hanley, but his influence was just as significant.

First, there were the goals. Three of them in fact, each of them spectacular bombs from well outside 50, and from what would only be considered half chances for most players. Further to that, he amassed four clearances and five inside 50s, all the while operating at around an 82% disposal efficiency rate. Whenever he got his hands on the ball, he made something happen.

His second half was quieter, as Jones’ clamp tightened even further, but his selfless running played a massive part in helping the rest of the Lions midfield dominate the match.

Rich is still a young and developing footballer, but more importantly is a mature and team-driven one too, and he says he has no problem with sacrificing his own game for his teammates.

“I take it as a compliment, and it means I’ve just got to work that bit harder. I know that if I’m doing the right thing by the boys, pleasing them and pleasing the coaching staff then that’s what is important to me.”

Rich says he is developing a real hunger for the contest, and is beginning to enjoy pitting himself against his direct opponent each week.

“It’s something that I kind of look forward to now. I suppose if I can get the same amount of possessions as him, but be more efficient and more damaging, then that’s a win.”

Fortunately for Rich, there is no shortage of midfield champions at the club for him to learn from, and he believes that the wisdom imparted by three Brownlow medallists is proving invaluable.

“Obviously Vossy is a great sounding board. Guys like him, our midfield coach Shane Woewodin and Blacky have all been through it before, so they are great to bounce things off and they all have a few tricks here and there,”

“It’s something I’m working hard to get through, and hopefully I’ll get better and better at it through the years.”