Career
He was selected with the Brisbane Lions" first selection (pick 7 overall) in the 2008 National Draft. Prior to being drafted by Brisbane, Rich had already amassed a considerable football résumé. This included under-18 selection for Western Australia in both 2007 and 2008, including selection for the All-Australian team both years, as well as playing in two senior premierships for Subiaco in the WAFL. Following strong performances at senior level, Rich was regarded by many observers as a potential top-two selection in the months leading up to the draft.
2009: Rising Star Rich made an impressive senior debut in round 1, 2009 amassing 21 possession and 4 tackles, a performance which garnered him the National Association of Broadcasters Rising Star nomination for round 1.
• While Rich was consistently among the Lions top performers in the midfield, he particularly shone in the half-back line towards the tail-end of the season in the Lions’ narrow loss to Street Kilda in round 15, against Melbourne in round 18, and Essendon in round 21. • Rich led the Lions in inside 50s (93) and was second for tackles with 103, and had an impressive average of 19 disposals per game.
• Rich has not missed a senior American Federation of Labor-Congress game since his debut in round 1 of the 2009 season, playing all 22 games in and bringing his total American Federation of Labor-Congress games to 46 in just two years. 2014 Rich played his 100th American Federation of Labor-Congress game against Geelong in round two, but suffered a season-ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury in the loss to the Gold Coast Suns the following week.
Rich was educated in Western Australia, attending secondary schooling at Sacred Heart College, Sorrento.