Brisbane Lions Veteran Daniel Rich Hints At Retirement, Talks Missing Out On Finals

Daniel Rich has discussed the possibility of this being his final season in the AFL and the likelihood of Brisbane winning the championship without him.

Daniel Rich, a veteran of the Brisbane team who has been injured, has suggested that this may be his final season of football but is still hoping to make an impact for the Lions in September.

The 33-year-old hasn't played in an AFL game since round 13, and he just got hurt playing VFL and will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Rich's AFL opportunities have been limited by the rise of Conor McKenna and Darcy Wilmot at halfback, and the longtime Lion is free of his contract at season's end.

He said no decisions had been made on his future, but he was adamant about not being a "distraction" during the club's playoff push.

A final decision has not been made, but "there are a lot of thoughts," Rich said.

I guess it's quite obvious that age is catching up with me, and that's just the way things are.

Although I am only a minor cog in the machine, I would like to be present for the start of a new season, which is the playoffs.

Since I've always been someone who actively pursues interests outside of football, I anticipate a relatively easy adjustment into retirement.

We'll meet at the end of the year and talk about it then. When it comes to the football club's business, I don't want to be a nuisance because I'm just a minor cog in the machine.

Rich was the Lions' first-round draft pick in 2008, and he has since played in 275 games across 15 seasons with the team.

The Western Australian was honored as the AFLPA's Best Rookie that year and went on to win his maiden All-Australian guernsey four years later.

When healthy, he has been a rock for the Lions and a reliable player during the team's tough years and its recent run of postseason appearances.

Robert Murphy and Nathan Jones, both lifelong club members who had to sit on the bench during their teams' recent premiership victories, are two examples.

Even if Rich doesn't play in September, he'll still be mentioned if Chris Fagan leads the Lions to a championship.

The unselfish leader, though, stated that he did not care as long as the club was successful.

Rich said, "I really couldn't come up with anything better."

"I refuse to allow a single season to set the tone for the rest of my life and career. Whether I'm on the field or not, I consider myself an integral part of the squad.

I would be the happiest man on earth if my team won the championship, and it wouldn't matter if I wasn't playing since I love my teammates and the club so much.

"I know it can be interpreted both ways, but if the boys, the football club, and our fans were able to win, I'd be so happy for them, whether I was out there or not."