Brisbane famous person Lachie Neale insists his aspect’s lack of illustration within the All-Australian workforce is a “positive” heading into the AFL finals collection as retiring stalwart Daniel Rich declared this season was the Lions’ finest probability of successful the premiership in his 15 years on the membership.
Despite the Lions ending second on the ladder and successful 17 matches in the course of the common season, livewire ahead Charlie Cameron was the one Brisbane participant named on this yr’s All-Australian outfit.
Neale, a three-time All-Australian consultant, was a controversial omission from the 2023 consultant outfit, whereas teammates Harris Andrews, Joe Daniher and Josh Dunkley may additionally contemplate themselves unfortunate to be missed.
“I understand those teams and how hard they are to crack into,” Brisbane co-captain Neale stated forward of the Lions’ qualifying ultimate in opposition to Port Adelaide on the Gabba on Saturday evening.
“There are some superstar players around the competition. I still feel like I‘ve had a really strong contribution to the team this year and what we’re trying to achieve, so I know within the four walls they appreciate my work.
“I’ve been around long enough to not let those decisions and accolades affect me going forward and my mindset.
“As a group as well, we just had Charlie in the team, so to finish second on the ladder, and only have one All-Australian, I think it‘s actually a positive.
“It just shows how even the contributions have been this year. I feel like as a midfield group as well, we were number one in clearances for the year, so we feel like we‘re doing a lot of things right.
“I know I’ve played my part in that, and so have a lot of others that roll through there, so it‘s a testament to the team and it just shows how even it has been.
“To finish second, and only have one in it, I think it‘s a good thing.”
While a number of Lions have contributed to Brisbane’s spectacular season, 33-year-old Rich has struggled with type and accidents, which led to him asserting his retirement on Monday.
The veteran is clinging on to the slim hope that he can reclaim his place in Brisbane’s line-up in the course of the finals collection, but when not, he has accepted that his AFL profession is over.
“There‘s still some work to be done,” Rich stated.
“If that (a senior recall) happens, that’d be amazing. If it doesn’t, I can still play a part in a different way.”
Rich, who debuted for the Lions in 2009, stated Brisbane had by no means been higher positioned to win a flag throughout his time on the membership.
“We’ve got a pretty talented team, and we’ve definitely learned a lot over the last four or five years with those finals experiences,” he stated.
“The young guys have got more games into them and experienced those finals games, so there’s no reason why this year can‘t be ours.
“We’ve still got a pretty exciting month and a lot of work to do against the best sides in the competition. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ve put ourselves in a great position.”
Originally revealed as Brisbane veteran Daniel Rich declares Lions higher positioned than ever for AFL glory
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
