In another standout season for the Swans key defender, Ted Richards finished the 2012 season with a premiership medallion, All-Australian selection and as the runner-up in the Bob Skilton Medal.

Richards was immense in defence for the Swans all season, and produced impressive performances against some of the competition’s toughest forwards including Lance Franklin and Taylor Walker.

Reflecting on his efforts in 2012, Richards spoke to sydneyswans.com.au about his best ever season of football.

How did you sum up your season in 2012?

I think it was probably my most consistent year, and for me it was easily the most enjoyable year of football I’ve been a part of; just the whole way through and just every week working with all the boys and then playing on (Grand Final) weekend, (it) has been amazing.

Just how far have you come personally in the last 12 months?

Last year was a big year for me, and I think this year was another big year for me. Just the things that I’ve implemented in my preparation this year I’m going to be sure to continue with in the future.

What games stood out for you personally this year?

I think there are quite a few significant games. I think round five when we beat Hawthorn down in Tasmania and then when we played Geelong out (on the SCG) on Friday night. Then you’ve got the finals games - the win over at AAMI Stadium and Collingwood out at ANZ, so there were so many big games and some really memorable wins.

How did it feel to earn All-Australian selection and a premiership medallion in one year?

Just considering back in 2010 I potentially thought that was going to be my last year of football, so to still be playing and to be part of a premiership team is something that I never thought would happen.

To get the Golden Fist as well, that was incredible.

You have been described as the General of the defence this year, how do you reflect on the form of the Swans back six?

I don’t think that’s the case. The other guys play a crucial role. Alex Johnson is the youngest, and we expect just as much talk and voice and communication (from him) as we do from Rhyce Shaw, the oldest.

There are about seven of us down there and we work really well together because everyone takes responsibility.

Who are some of the most improved young players this season?

I think pretty much the reason we won the premiership is because we improved across the whole team, but Alex Johnson would be one, in just his second year of football, who has improved. I think he played his 45th game in (the Grand Final) which is a massive effort because he plays a really important role in the defence, which helps out the whole team.

I think it’s incredible by AJ what he has done and I think he has a really big, bright future.

Tell us about the lead up to the Grand Final - how was the ankle?

I was incredibly nervous about going into the game and playing on (Lance Franklin), but also about how my ankle was going to be able to hold up. I couldn’t really test it throughout the week, so I went in very nervous about different parts of the game and I was just that relieved that we won and the ankle was fine, because the worst thing could have been an injury and I would have had to be subbed out.

What do you think the Grand Final says about the resilience of the team, with a number of players playing through injury?

I think it’s a big tick for the whole team because probably some people thought we were down and out at different stages throughout the game, and we had a lot of excuses and reasons why we could have given up but we just kept on fighting.

It wasn’t pretty, it was just a real scrap, but we just never gave in, so I thought it was great by Jude, Goodsey and even Dan Hannebery’s courageous acts throughout the game just to keep persisting.

The off-season break’s coming up for you, what are your plans?

I’m going to head off overseas and I’m going to catch up with some of the boys in New York and try and have a bit of time off before we get back into it.