With the 2008 national, pre-season and rookie drafts long since completed, why not use this time of restlessness and impatience (the time between now and the beginning of season 2009) to speculate as to who out of the latest bunch might make an immediate impact? Lord knows, the bookies are already taking money on who will be crowned the 2009 Rising Star.
If I had to pick one player to keep an eye on, I'd be leaning towards Daniel Rich. Rich was touted as a certain top three selection for most of the draft lead-up; it was only in the final week when word started circulating that Fremantle were perhaps leaning towards fellow West Australian Stephen Hill. As it panned out, Fremantle did pull the trigger on Hill at #3 and with Port Adelaide, Essendon and Carlton all taking the players they were expected to take, Brisbane were the beneficiaries of the Daniel Rich "slide" at #7.
Brisbane must have been pinching themselves when their first pick arrived on draft day. In Daniel Rich, they have nabbed themselves a ready made player with the physical attributes to take part as early as round one. The reasons for the slide from top three to number seven are believed to be a perceived lack of upside, but I don't buy into such reasoning. Any player drafted carries with them upside simply out of necessity -- if they don't find improvement then they're likely to not make the grade. In the case of Rich, we have a player who sports an impressive skill set who by all accounts has the work ethic required to succeed - and excel - at AFL level.
Brisbane were spoiled for the first half of this decade, sporting one of the most incredible midfields that the game has witnessed. With the likes of Michael Voss, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin, Luke Power and Jason Akermanis playing roles in the engine room, it's understandable why Brisbane had such a sustained period of dominance. With the retirements of Voss and Lappin and the departure of Akermanis to the Western Bulldogs in recent years, Brisbane entered the 2008 draft looking to sure-up its midfield. Daniel Rich will go a long way to providing the mortar for future stability.
Besides all of the proven form and expectations, there is also some reasoning to be found for those people who believe in the more superstitious side of football. The last two rising star awards have been won by #7 picks, with Joel Selwood taking the honours in 2007 and Rhys Palmer in 2008.
If I was a gambling man, I'd be throwing some coin down on Daniel Rich in 2009.
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