With Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Alex Johnson, Rhyce Shaw and Marty Mattner all missing from the early stages of the year, the 2012 All-Australian defender led from the front and helped nurture the club’s young talent including Dane Rampe, Andrejs Everitt and Shane Biggs, who all played roles down back for the Swans in 2013.
Richards lined up on the competition’s toughest key forwards every week, and once again enjoyed battles against the likes of Lance Franklin, Nick Riewoldt and Tom Hawkins.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au, Richards said he was impressed with the way the Swans coped with missing so much defensive experience.
How would you sum up your year in 2013?
I’m not sure how to sum it up, but there were ups and downs. I was pretty happy with how I finished off the year but I was frustrated at times but also happy with certain parts of the season.
What have been some of your highlights from the season?
I think what stands out for me was how we dealt with the injuries that we had. If you had said to me at the end of last year that 2013 would have so many premiership players out of the team for a long period of the year, I’d be quite nervous about how we’d go replacing those players but we’ve had guys come into the team who have really played an important role for us and it’s been the real positive of the year just seeing guys like Jesse White throughout the year and then Shane Biggs towards the end of the season come in and play these great roles.
Who was the biggest improver in 2013?
I’m incredibly biased because he’s a fellow defender, but Dane Rampe. From playing in the Sydney league last year, then onto the rookie list and then onto the senior list to a starting half back flanker and playing really well has been a phenomenal year of improvement for Dane and I think it’s an absolute credit to the fact he didn’t put a limit on what he thought his potential could be.
What was it like playing alongside your little brother Xavier this year?
It’s been really good throughout the whole year working hard and training with him and now going into another pre-season, he’s already set himself to have a big year next year.
That game against Carlton on the Friday night, he only got out on the field for about 10-15 minutes but it was one of the highlights on my life being able to sing the song with him at the end of the game and celebrate that game.
How did you rate your own form in 2013?
Overall I’m fairly positive about the year I’ve had. Last year I think was a better season overall but I think how I finished off the year I was pretty happy with. Hopefully 2014 is going to be even better.
What do you think the Swans need to do to come out bigger and better next year?
I know that all teams are going to be coming after the finals teams, so we need to improve and we can’t stagnate, so that’s the first thing.
I think we’re going to have a healthy competition for spots for a starting 18 with a lot of guys returning back from injuries. I think if we can keep that competition for spots then we can improve across the whole board I guess.
What are your plans over the off-season?
I’m heading to Bali with the girlfriend and it just so happens that there are a few boys heading there as well, which she’s rapt about. I’m doing that and maybe heading over to Europe as well just to get to Berlin and St Petersburg and maybe catch up with my brother.
