Try as he might to wheel out the 'one week at a time' cliché, there is a special aura building about Brisbane Lions draftee Daniel Rich.
It was definitely there before Rich made a smooth AFL debut against West Coast, but experienced further growth on Saturday night when Lions coach Michael Voss suggested the 18-year-old exceed his expectations.
Rich should be no stranger to great expectations, he was tipped to take out this year's Rising Star award when the 16 club captains were asked earlier this month. Eagles coach John Worsfold has stated he would have picked up the gutsy midfielder with pick two in the 2008 National Draft had his club not gone with Nick Naitanui.
Indeed there were plenty of good reasons that many pundits were surprised when Rich was available to the Lions at pick seven in the draft, oddly enough the same spot that the last two Rising Star winners went at.
The comparisons between Joel Selwood, Rhys Palmer and Rich don't stop there either, it's the ready-made nature of the trio that has many onlookers amazed.
Rich, by all means a boy amongst men at the Gabba when he took on the side he supported as a child, was clearly unfazed by the drama, collecting 21 disposals as he helped steer his side to a nine-point victory.
While many Brisbane players struggled to hit a target, Rich stood tall on a number of occasions, delivering the ball inside the 50m arch on eight occasions.
It was the sort of performance that caused coaching debutant Voss to make the bold statement that Rich had surpassed the expectations that come with a young man who had already played in two U-18 Australian sides and collected two WAFL premierships with Subicao.
Voss was well aware of Rich's maturity and raking left-foot kick, having coached him at the Australian Institute of Sport, but rather it was his work ethic and attitude that had the former Lions champion grinning.
"His ball use didn’t surprise me, we see him in training and he has got those qualities where he can play inside the contest or outside," Voss said.
"It was good to see, it was a great reward for him."
"As I said to him, the great thing is, it's not your ball use, yeah it looks great, but if you don’t have the right work rate, don’t have the right attitude and you don’t do the other things, then you don’t get a game, no matter how well you kick it."
Voss was not drawn into any speculation about how much of the 2009 season Rich would play and was naturally keen to limit the booming bubble of media attention, which could ferment further if Rich picks up a nomination for this year's Rising Star award.
"It's Round 1, he is 18 years of age, now if we really want to step it up, it's about consistency," he said.
When quizzed about taking on Carlton and former West Coast champion Chris Judd next weekend, a modest Rich suggested that with Jared Brennan and Simon Black likely to return, he was not totally confident of being selected.
The youngster admitted it had been a surreal feeling to live out his 'dream'.
"I couldn't be happier to come to Brisbane it's a great place, a great club and a great future, so to be here is incredible," Rich said.
"I haven't thought about that (possible goals for the season) at all to be honest, I'm taking each week at a time."
When quizzed about taking on Carlton and former West Coast champion Chris Judd next weekend, a modest Rich suggested that with Jared Brennan and Simon Black likely to return, he was not totally confident of playing.