Keen to make up for lost time, Brisbane Lions deputy Daniel Rich says he wants to play every AFL pre-season match in his comeback from a serious knee injury.
In another boost for the revitalised Lions, Rich has hit the ground running at pre-season training after recovering from a ruptured ACL suffered in round three last year.
And Rich has already put his hand up for their pre-season program which starts with a February 28 clash with St Kilda on the Sunshine Coast.
"I haven't played for a while so I would love to play as much as I can," Rich said at the venue of their opening trial, Burpengary on Friday.
"I would be happy to play all three (trials) to be honest.
"It (knee recovery) is all going to plan at the moment.
"It's exciting to be doing some game stuff with the boys and getting amongst it again."
Besides their February 20 intra-club clash, Brisbane also play trials against Sydney (March 6) and the Gold Coast (March 20) before their Gabba season opener against Collingwood (April 4).
Rich's fitness is another shot in the arm for the Lions who have enjoyed increased optimism - and as a result membership sales - since the off-season recruitment of Allen Christensen, Dayne Beams and Mitch Robinson.
Rather than let the renewed hype go to their heads, Lions vice-captain Dayne Zorko said his new-look team would use the pre-season competition to find their feet.
Especially with the team looking to fill the void left by key defender Joel Patfull (Greater Western Sydney) and Lions deputy and classy midfielder Pearce Hanley (hip).
"Ryan Lester will be given first shot at replacing Joel and there is an opportunity for some young guys to step up for Pearce (who will miss first month of season)," Zorko said.
(And) it's a good opportunity for Dayne and Allen and Mitch to really get adjusted to our game plan.
"I guess you go out every time to win but the trials will be good just to play with them, get our combinations right and really start building towards round one against Collingwood."
Zorko said life under new captain Tom Rockliff had been seamless.
"He has big shoes to fill. Jed (Adcock) was a great leader for us but Tom has really stepped up," he said.
"He says what he has to say and moves on.
"He doesn't hold any grudges against anyone.
"He doesn't do anything out of the ordinary, he's just Tommy, really."
Share
