AFL grand final: Daniel Rich the heartbreak story of the Brisbane Lions after long career

Daniel Rich, the Brisbane Lions’ ultimate clubman, trained for a grand final he was never going to play in.

After toiling away without playing finals between 2010 and 2018, Rich’s stellar 275-game career spanning 15 seasons in Brisbane has already come to an end.

Despite losing his spot in Chris Fagan’s best team after a shock round 13 defeat to Hawthorn, the 33-year-old has maintained a selfless attitude ahead of today’s decider against Collingwood.

The booming left-footer took part in Friday’s training session at the MCG in front of thousands of Lions supporters, all roaring when he slotted a goal.

“Daniel Rich is one of the great team men of our footy club,” Fagan said.

“He’s one of the hard-luck stories, unfortunately; he’s just had a year full of soft tissue injury and couldn’t quite get there to be a part of the team.

“The first day I arrived (at the club) to now he’s been nothing but supportive.

“He’s dedicated himself in the last three or four weeks to just be around the team and be a part of the team and encourage everybody so well.”

If not for Rich’s influence, it is possible Lachie Neale may have made a different decision when he left Fremantle at the end of 2018.

Brisbane have played finals in all of Neale’s five seasons at the club, with the co-captain on Monday night adding a second Brownlow Medal to the one he won in 2020.