After a decade in the AFL, this is how the Brisbane Lions' Daniel Rich finally found firm footing

More than anything else, Australian rules is a team game. And one of the most brilliant parts of it involves the work between two teammates, the centimetre-perfect pass. 

The perfect pass goes to where your teammate is going, not where they are.

In the modern era, pulling off the perfect pass without tipping your hand to the opposition is increasingly hard. Teams operate on both sides of the ball, and defensive communication and principles are stronger than ever.

Players who can break through the opposition defensive wall are valuable. Defensive-half distributors are worth their weight in gold, especially those who can turn opposition players into witches hats.

Daniel Rich is a player who does the centimetre-perfect pass with ease.

Rich has had a long and winding rise to the top.

After winning the Rising Star award in his first year in the league, Rich has battled through injuries, role changes and form slumps in the Sunshine State.

After coming into the league as an in-and-under midfielder, Rich is now one of the finest distributors of the ball by foot from defence. Last year saw Rich named to his first All Australian team, a dozen years after being anointed a Rising Star.

With Brisbane firmly stuck to the top rungs of the ladder, it's the rise of its longest tenured player that is helping to keep them there.

Each year, a crop of new players come into the league, looking to make their mark on the national stage. The hype and hoopla that comes from the draft process is rapidly forgotten when they step onto the field for the first time for their new clubs.

Going from junior footy to the AFL is like hopping out of a golf cart and into a supercar. Getting used to the pace and physicality takes time. Rich had an upper hand on most,