Time for Lions to deliver, says Rich

BRISBANE star Daniel Rich says the Lions have a timely chance to prove they can cope with the pressure of expectation, when they host Collingwood at likely grand final venue the Gabba on Friday.

Losses to AFL heavyweights Geelong and Richmond this season, as well as a straight-sets exit in last year’s finals series, have the Lions on notice to deliver on the biggest stage. A blockbuster Friday night game against Collingwood, which has had the edge on Brisbane in recent years, looms as that stage.

Throw in the prospect of the Gabba this week being confirmed as the venue for this year’s decider, and there probably isn’t a better time for the Lions to make a statement by beating Collingwood for the first time since 2014.

“It’s been a while,” said experienced defender Rich, who is set to return from a hamstring injury.

“Standing up in the bigger moments is something that we’ve learnt along the journey ... that’ll be no different.

“A lot of it is to do with the moment and the flows of the game, and being able to adapt to certain situations during a game.

“In the past, it’s probably taken a little bit longer than it should have.

“Learning to pull the trigger on certain things a bit earlier is one of the things (to do).

“You embrace anything. You’re thrown in situations and it’s just about adapting.

“It’s been one of those years. We didn’t know the fixture ... there’s been so many things thrown at the group, but in a way, that’s the exciting part of it.”

Rich was careful not to think ahead to the possibility of the Lions playing in this year’s grand final, but was excited about the boost the code would receive in Queensland if the Gabba was to host the biggest game on the calendar.