Retired Daniel Rich #1 (2008-2023)

[Old Den]

Let's not be too touchy.....there is a whole lot of praise and positivity about Daniel in that thread.

The main knock seems to be that there is not a lot of upside for him because of his body maturity for his age - the argument and logic for that conclusion completely escapes me......I would have thought it is a plus for a flying start for a long and successful career.

 

[POBT]

If I had any criticism/concern of Rich is that he doesn't seem to react particularly quickly to some situations. Give him the ball in hand and he looks to have all the time in the world. But I watched him at a few stoppages and other contests and he just seemed to be half a second behind in his thought processes. That is not unexpected though for a debutant and he'll improve. And he'll have to as he's never going to be able to rely on superior athleticism for his touches. Having said that, I'll take smart, skilful and tough over athletic any time!

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

While Hooper appeared determined to snap up his last chance at the Lions to kick four goals tonight, Voss would have been just as encouraged by boom draftee Daniel Rich's AFL debut.
It would be fair to say big things are expected from Rich.

In a not-so-subtle reminder, Rich was handed the No.10 guernsey before his first game by the last man to wear it, for 318 games no less, - none other than Lions legend Marcus Ashcroft.

Rich became only the third first-year player to make a round one debut in Brisbane Lions history.

Yet Rich showed experience beyond his years in a composed debut on Saturday night with 21 classy touches.

 

[Grimreepah]

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‘Bam Bam’ breaks into big-time
By Michael Whiting
11:18 AM Sun 29 March, 2009

DANIEL Rich described his debut performance for the Brisbane Lions as surreal after he helped engineer a huge first round comeback victory over the West Coast Eagles on Saturday night.

Rich was all class in gathering 21 disposals as the Lions snuck home by nine points at the Gabba.

The 18-year-old, taken number seven overall in last year’s NAB AFL National Draft, looked right at home at the AFL level with his poise and penetrating left foot highlights.

When his team was trailing by 38 points during the second quarter, it was the young man dubbed ‘Bam Bam’ by his teammates that started turning things around.

First he hit captain Jonathan Brown with a perfect 50m pass, then steadied in traffic to locate Travis Johnstone free inside the forward 50. Both assists led directly to goals.

And after a media ban was slapped on him during the pre-season, Rich was equally cool speaking to journalists after his first-up performance.

‘’It’s a bit surreal but just an amazing feeling to get the win with the boys and finally get my opportunity at AFL which has been my dream since I was a tacker, so it was great,’’ he said.

‘’You never really feel comfortable playing AFL footy, especially in your first game, but the boys helped me settle in well and it was good to get a touch fairly early.’’

After growing up in Western Australia and winning two WAFL premierships with Subiaco, Rich was an Eagles supporter as a youngster.

But the composed teenager said there was no room for sentiment once he stepped across the line.

‘’It was good fun out there,’’ he said.

‘’The speed, skills, the mature bodies, but it wasn’t too far off what I’ve been playing back home at Subiaco.

‘’Once I step over the line I’m Brisbane through and through ... Once the siren’s gone, I’m mates with them again but once I’m across the line it’s a battle.’’

Rich had his parents, other family and friends fly in from Western Australia to see his debut.

And despite being touted as a potential round-one inclusion from the moment he came to Brisbane, Rich said he never placed any expectations on himself, and he was happy to take things day by day and week by week.

‘’I love all the preparation for next week’s game, al the small things that’s part of footy,’’ he said.

‘’I’ll be stoked to get another opportunity next week but I’ll just do all the things right this week and have trust in the recovery staff and hopefully get up.’’

 

[Grimreepah]

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Voss's Rich praise for debutant
By Michael Whiting
11:40 PM Sat 28 March, 2009

BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss said Daniel Rich’s debut performance exceeded even his expectations as the 18-year-old helped steer the Lions to a narrow nine-point win over West Coast on Saturday night.

In his first match as senior coach, Voss had to endure a nerve-racking final quarter before squeaking home 14.11 (95) to 13.8 (86).

Debutant Rich, chosen by the Lions at number seven overall in last year’s NAB AFL National Draft, was poised and polished on debut, collecting 21 touches.

Voss said it was the youngster’s work ethic that impressed him most, and not just his penetrating left boot that led directly to a number of goals.

“It was a great reward for him,” Voss said. “It looks great with the ball in your hands, but if you don’t have the right work-rate, the right attitude and you don’t do the right things, then you don’t get a game

“His reward is for putting the work in and getting the best out of himself.”

 

[BigCat2]

In a not-so-subtle reminder, Rich was handed the No.10 guernsey before his first game by the last man to wear it, for 318 games no less, - none other than Lions legend Marcus Ashcroft.

Poor Moody. Not only did he get delisted, it seems MIB have come and wiped memory of him from journos.

 

[chopperduck]

only thing i was disappointed in, which wasn't bam bam's fault, was that he wasn't able to kick a goal. He easily could have walked away from that game with about 3 of them. several times he made great position to get a kick. Had one shot off 2 steps and nearly got it though which was nice.

He definitely can be a goal kicking mid. Was all class in the middle, set up maybe 3 odd goals, had about 6 or 7 inside 50's and could have kicked 2 or 3 goals himself. That is a lot of attacking footy to add to his great work in the middle.

 

[Hollow Knight]

only thing i was disappointed in, which wasn't bam bam's fault, was that he wasn't able to kick a goal. He easily could have walked away from that game with about 3 of them. several times he made great position to get a kick. Had one shot off 2 steps and nearly got it though which was nice.

Yeah, especially in one situation where Sherman simply had tto flick the handball across to Rich running inside 50 and it was almost a certain goal, instead Shermo had the blinkers on and pinged one over Bradshaw's head.

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Rich impresses Voss
29/03/2009 9:55 AM
Rob Forsaith
Sportal

Try as he might to wheel out the 'one week at a time' cliché, there is a special aura building about Brisbane Lions draftee Daniel Rich.
It was definitely there before Rich made a smooth AFL debut against West Coast, but experienced further growth on Saturday night when Lions coach Michael Voss suggested the 18-year-old exceed his expectations.
Rich should be no stranger to great expectations, he was tipped to take out this year's Rising Star award when the 16 club captains were asked earlier this month. Eagles coach John Worsfold has stated he would have picked up the gutsy midfielder with pick two in the 2008 National Draft had his club not gone with Nick Naitanui.
Indeed there were plenty of good reasons that many pundits were surprised when Rich was available to the Lions at pick seven in the draft, oddly enough the same spot that the last two Rising Star winners went at.
The comparisons between Joel Selwood, Rhys Palmer and Rich don't stop there either, it's the ready-made nature of the trio that has many onlookers amazed.
Rich, by all means a boy amongst men at the Gabba when he took on the side he supported as a child, was clearly unfazed by the drama, collecting 21 disposals as he helped steer his side to a nine-point victory.
While many Brisbane players struggled to hit a target, Rich stood tall on a number of occasions, delivering the ball inside the 50m arch on eight occasions.
It was the sort of performance that caused coaching debutant Voss to make the bold statement that Rich had surpassed the expectations that come with a young man who had already played in two U-18 Australian sides and collected two WAFL premierships with Subicao.
Voss was well aware of Rich's maturity and raking left-foot kick, having coached him at the Australian Institute of Sport, but rather it was his work ethic and attitude that had the former Lions champion grinning.
"His ball use didn’t surprise me, we see him in training and he has got those qualities where he can play inside the contest or outside," Voss said.
"It was good to see, it was a great reward for him."
"As I said to him, the great thing is, it's not your ball use, yeah it looks great, but if you don’t have the right work rate, don’t have the right attitude and you don’t do the other things, then you don’t get a game, no matter how well you kick it."
Voss was not drawn into any speculation about how much of the 2009 season Rich would play and was naturally keen to limit the booming bubble of media attention, which could ferment further if Rich picks up a nomination for this year's Rising Star award.
"It's Round 1, he is 18 years of age, now if we really want to step it up, it's about consistency," he said.
When quizzed about taking on Carlton and former West Coast champion Chris Judd next weekend, a modest Rich suggested that with Jared Brennan and Simon Black likely to return, he was not totally confident of being selected.
The youngster admitted it had been a surreal feeling to live out his 'dream'.
"I couldn't be happier to come to Brisbane it's a great place, a great club and a great future, so to be here is incredible," Rich

 

[lionshine]

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Jared Brennan and Simon Black likely to come back yay!Anyway on Rich supperstar.Next ablett.Thats right i said it such a gun i love him!Beautiful kick.A future goal kicking midfielder wait no.Not a furture a present

 

[Hollow Knight]

Some serious jealousy going down on the main board.

One opposition supporter has even resorted to outright fabrications in a desperate attempt to bring BamBam down. Easy to see we are on to a winner here.

 

[Grimreepah]

Lions supporters appreciation thread here.

Opposition supporters jealousy thread here.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Photographer: Mervyn Lowe (Slattery Media)

 

[Grimreepah]

Don't debutantes normally stand in the middle of the circle?

 

[Hollow Knight]

Don't debutantes normally stand in the middle of the circle?

Yeah I thought the same thing. Maybe he just wants to be one of the boys.

 

[notting18]

I am going to make a prediction here. An outlandish one at that. Bam Bam's Roster Watch thread may be the longest of any lions player by the end of the year

 

[Lehmo87]

I am going to make a prediction here. An outlandish one at that. Bam Bam's Roster Watch thread may be the longest of any lions player by the end of the year

He's on record pace. Jonathan doesn't even get this much attention.

Outshining the captain is never a good idea

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

But it was 18-year-old rookie midfielder Daniel Rich who will set hearts aflutter among Lions fans desperate for a foil to the old guard of Black and Luke Power and a partner in crime for Hooper. His controlled and composed touch with the ball in hand stands out as much as his shock of surf-white hair. In his first outing in the AFL, there was plenty to like from Voss's point of view, although the coach was more proud of Rich's work rate and defence than silken touch and booming left boot.
"It was a great reward for him. Yeah, he looks great with the ball in his hands. But if you don't have the right work rate, if you don't have the right attitude, then you don't get a game. It doesn't matter how good you kick it," Voss said.
"His reward is not for the way he kicks the ball or what decisions he makes when he's in a contest. His reward is for getting the best out of himself. It's round one. He's 18 years of age and now it's about consistency. We obviously need a lot more over the course of a whole year."

 

[chopperduck]

really want to see a replay of this game. Was great to be at the ground to see it though.

I dont think we really need to say much about Rich. actions speak louder than words, and last night, he was in action

 

[Chasing the Dream]

Just checking how this resizing thing goes.

Hope it worked, Rich in action from last night

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Rich started his highly anticipated debut on the Lions bench. He and evergreen centreman Luke Power joined the revival and generated drive in retaliation to the Eagles' first half dominance. Rich completed an impressive debut and finished among the best players, prompting former Collingwood champion and commentator Tony Shaw to describe him as being a "budding Voss".

Photo courtesy of Stitchface

 

[Hollow Knight]

Link

"You only have one first game and Vossie said to enjoy it," he said.

"It was great fun out there, but it's just one game.

"I'll be stoked if I get another opportunity next week, I just have to keep doing everything right."

"I was an Eagles fan, not anymore. Once I step over the line I'm Brisbane through and through ... once the siren's gone, I'm mates with them again," Rich said."

Link

"Once I had run across the white line it was just another team," Rich said.

"I am a Lion through and through now.

"It's been a dream (to play AFL) since I was a young tacker so to finally get out there was incredible.

"I couldn't be happier coming to Brisbane. It's a great place, great club with a great future - I love being here."

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Let Rich get on with it, says father
30th March 2009, 8:30 WST

Rampant speculation as to whether West Coast and Fremantle made a drafting error by overlooking Daniel Rich is wrong and unfair, according to the young gun’s father.

Greg Rich, who was in Brisbane to watch his son’s starring 21-possession debut in a nine-point win over the Eagles at the Gabba on Saturday night, called for draft critics to “move on” and give the latest batch of youngsters space to live out their dreams.

The Lions admitted to being delighted when Rich sneaked through to pick No. 7 and his composed first game showed why.

The 18-year-old’s father said the family was not disappointed he did not start his career in Perth. He said his son was close friends with many WA draftees of the past two years, particularly West Coast’s Nick Naitanui, and the family were anxious to watch all of their careers unfold.

Greg Rich said that “like it or not,” there was always going to be talk about why one of the Perth teams didn’t take his son and he felt sorry for Fremantle pick Stephen Hill.

“It’s hard as a parent when you’ve got to say goodbye all the time, but it gets easier each time and we know he’s in a good place where he can go about his business,” Rich said.

“There’s a perception that we had our noses out of joint, but it’s so far from the truth and West Coast were never going to overlook Nick because he could quite possibly turn out to be a freak.

“Sometimes there’s no rhyme nor reason to the whole thing, you’ve just got to let the kids play and we wish Nick and Stephen all the best for long and illustrious careers. I feel sorry for Stephen, because he’s been under the pump before he’s even had a kick.

“I just want to see things like Cale Morton play against Jack Ziebell and things like that. It’s great watching the superstars play, but I love watching the kids.

“One thing I’ve always expressed to Daniel is that he’s just a footballer and that doesn’t mean he’s any better than anyone else.

“He’s just lucky that he’s got a God-given talent, but that doesn’t mean you can strut around like a bigtime Charlie.”

Rich was at the game with wife Heather and daughter Hannah and formed part of a thriving crowd atmosphere which peaked at the 11-minute mark of the second term when his son unveiled his lethal left foot with a drilled pass to captain Jonathan Brown, who responded with his first of three goals.

Rich admitted his passion for the Eagles as a child and revealed he was a massive fan of former star midfielder Dean Kemp.

He remains close to current West Coast on-baller Chris Masten and forged strong relationships with Chad Fletcher, Matt Priddis and Mark Nicoski as he slotted in for two WAFL premierships at Subiaco.

With a testing battle against Carlton captain and former West Coast skipper Chris Judd looming at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, Rich said his childhood support for the Eagles was a thing of the past.

“When I cross the line, it’s just another team,” he said. “In my eyes, I’m Brisbane through and through now, so I suppose it’s just another game of footy.”

Photo courtesy of Stitchface

 

[POBT]

Geez, it is good to hear this attitude from Rich Snr. I know a couple of footy parents (other codes) who think that the sun shines out of their son's rear and that the world ought to bow down before them. Rich is a wonderful prospect, made moreso, it would seem, by having level headed parents.

I wish the football world would get away from this idea that when you overlook one player who turns out to be any good it automatically exposes you to inordinate levels of criticism. Bloody hell - a couple of weeks ago, people were raving about Hill. 1 senior game later and all of a sudden, Freo (and West Coast) are a bunch of incompetents? It is ridiculous.

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Rich kicks off with a stunner
Tim Clarke
March 30, 2009 - 12:08PM

West Coast star ruckman Dean Cox believes there were plenty of positives to come out of the Eagles' nine-point loss to Brisbane - but admitted the biggest plus was probably the performance for the Lions of Daniel Rich.
Against the team he and his parents have supported for years, Rich crowned his first AFL appearance with a pivotal role in the Lions comeback from six goals down at the Gabba.
Rich's 21 possessions and numerous examples of his booming left foot had both coach Michael Voss and captain Jonathan Brown gushing in their praise of the 18 year-old Subiaco product.
And having seen his club turn down the chance of drafting Rich last year in favour of Nicholas Naitanui, Cox could only agree with the assessment of the dual WAFL premiership winner.
"He was fantastic. For a first game the effort he put in was unbelievable," Cox said.
Rich, who was kept away from media in pre-season, happily admitted after tasting an AFL victory for the first time all sentiment had gone out of the window despite the opponent.
"The speed, skills, the mature bodies, but it wasn’t too far off what I’ve been playing back home at Subiaco," Rich said.
"Once I step over the line I’m Brisbane through and through ... Once the siren’s gone, I’m mates with them again but once I’m across the line it’s a battle."
"I love all the preparation for next week’s game, al the small things that’s part of footy," he said.
"I’ll be stoked to get another opportunity next week but I’ll just do all the things right this week and have trust in the recovery staff and hopefully get up."