The Brisbane Lions are determined to end their finals drought with an impressive showing this season.
Daniel Rich at training today with the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: The Courier-Mail
BRISBANE Lions star Daniel Rich says players, not coaches or administrators, should be responsible for setting conduct standards on and off the football field.
Behaviour has again been in the spotlight during the Christmas break, with players from several AFL clubs involved in ugly incidents.
Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell has been arrested and charged for his role in a New Year's Eve brawl in Mandurah, Western Australia.
Collingwood midfielder Marley Williams was charged with assault in Albany in December while three Demons were in hot water over a boozy Boxing Day at the MCG.
Rich did not agree that the incidents were a sign of players, freed from the scrutiny and pressure of the premiership season, going overboard.
He did, however, insist that it should be left to club management to enforce conduct guidelines.
"It's a big focus here that you train hard and when you're away, enjoy yourself but don't do anything stupid," Rich said.
"We shouldn't rely on the coaches to be like schoolteachers.
"The boys have respect for the coaches and (behaviour) should be driven by players."
Lions coach Michael Voss is a big fan of Rich's attitude.
"I thought Daniel Rich had an outstanding pre-season last year and really stood head and shoulders above a lot of players," Voss said recently.
"He's still training at the same intensity but more are actually joining him at that standard."
Rich, 22, averaged almost 22 disposals last year and ran second in the club champion award, just two votes behind Joel Patfull. Barring any mishaps he is set to play his 100th AFL match this season.
There will be pressure on the midfielders to keep improving after the arrival of former Melbourne player Brent Moloney.
Incumbents Rich, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden and Andrew Raines all had strong seasons last year but Moloney, Claye Beams, Jared Polec and Dayne Zorko will push for ball-gathering roles alongside former skipper Simon Black.
"It's been like that since I got here," Rich said.
"There's a lot of guys training well, running well, young midfielders pushing hard."
The Lions' quest for respect, rather than silverware, is an ongoing theme.
They finished four wins outside the eight last season, but signed off with wins against Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs.
"I don't know what other teams would think of us. But it is about earning that respect," Rich said.
"If you're not making finals and you don't have as much respect . . . that's what you're here to do.
"These (pre-season) weeks are a stepping stone to that. It's in the back of the mind that we finished well."
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