He was reliable throughout his 12th season in the AFL but there’s no doubt he found another gear over the final month as the Lions stormed to a top two finish won their first final in over a decade.

That qualifying final win over reigning and eventual premiers Richmond was the superboot’s best game of the year.

He started with one of his trademark long range bombs from outside 50m to set the Gabba crowd alight.

It was a classic Rich performance as he ran amok across half back kickstarting one offensive drive after another with his raking left boot.

He finished with 20 possessions and a staggering 605m gained to be one of the key drivers of the Lions’ 15 point win.

It capped off a strong finish to the season where he had been among the Lions’ best in wins over Gold Coast, Sydney and Carlton to close out the home and away season.

Rich is the elder statesman in the Lions’ Den now but continues to be a key player and remains one of the elute ball users and meter monsters in the competition.

He is contracted until at least the end of 2021.