Daniel Rich has spoken of his commitment to the Brisbane Lions and his confidence that success is not far away.
“Early days I was looked after so well by the likes of Blackie and Luke Power, those types you don’t want to leave at all and it is still the case now,’’ Rich told The Courier-Mail.
“Now it is not only footy, I love the boys and I love the club, but also outside of the game I love the beach, I love the golf courses, I love the lifestyle and my wife and her family are from here.
“So it is a bit deeper now than when I just rocked over from WA. Obviously a bit more success would be good but here is home.’’
The 25-year-old said on-field success was on the radar for the young Lions outfit.
“We know there might be a few steps, but we are making sure these first steps are done the right way,’’ he said.
“We know it can turn around pretty quick. It starts with the training, which has been our focus.
“Other clubs have done it as well. We’ve seen it with Port and the Bulldogs in the last couple of years, I can’t see why it can’t happen with us.’’
Rich, now a join Vice-Captain with Pearce Hanley, Dayne Zorko, Dayne Beams and Dan Merrett, has developed into an important leader for the club.
“I’m different to quite a few of the guys in the leadership group and it is pretty important to have a bit of diversity in the group and we will lead in different ways,’’ he said.
“I’m pretty laid back and relaxed kind of guy, so in terms of the stresses and pressure I deal with them in different ways.
“But I’m more than happy to make the responsibility to try to lead this group to where we want to be.’’