Ted Richards’ fight for a senior recall begins now.
The veteran defender announced that he’ll be retiring at season’s end in front of family, teammates and media on Friday morning.
But instead of calling an immediate end to his playing career, the 33-year-old vowed to go out swinging in the hope of earning a senior recall and finish on an absolute high.
Step one on the path back will be playing in Saturday’s NEAFL clash against Brisbane at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Richards has managed just eight senior games this season due to soft tissue worries, a fractured cheekbone and a separate bout of concussion hampering his season to date.
The emergence of key defender Aliir Aliir has kept him on the cusp in recent weeks, having played the last two games at the lower level before being named as a travelling emergency for last weekend’s journey west.
With a strong performance under his belt against the Lions, NEAFL coach Rhyce Shaw backed his premiership teammate to have a big say on team selection in the coming weeks.
“We've seen time and again Ted bounce back from, one week being out of the side, to the next having an impact at senior level," Shaw said.
“He's played some really good footy this season so he's definitely not finished yet.
“With a couple of strong games he'll be putting his hand up for selection, there's no doubt about that.
"It's a blessing to have him play for us right now."
Richards spearheads a list 15-strong with AFL-listed players, a number of which are also keen to impress in the lead up to AFL finals including Jeremy Laidler and Ben McGlynn.
It will be Laidler’s first game since straining his hamstring while McGlynn, like Richards, has been working hard for another senior opportunity.
Individual aims aside, the NEAFL Swans still have a job to do and that’s to finish off what’s been a fantastic season to date.
With three rounds remaining in the regular season, the NEAFL Swans sit two games clear on top of the ladder with a 13-2 win-loss record and a healthy percentage (236).
They were one of three clubs to enjoy a bye last weekend, meaning Saturday’s clash will be the first opportunity to make amends for the loss to GWS in Round 17.
Shaw says the key aim over the next three weeks will be to achieve a perfect balance between building towards another NEAFL finals series as well as supporting the senior team's quest.
"Our aim will be trying to maintain those high standards," he said.
“It'll be about trying to play how we, as a playing group, want to play as well as providing the necessary support for the seniors.
“And that is to keep playing good footy and putting pressure on guys for spots."
Despite sitting last on the ladder on 13-3, Brisbane are playing a good brand of footy lately, pushing second-ranked Aspley for three quarters before fading late.
The NEAFL Swans hold bragging rights this season, winning both encounters by a combined 232 points.
Originally scheduled as a curtain-raiser, Saturday’s clash has been since moved to BISP due to the recent wet weather with the first bounce brought forward to 9.45am.
NEAFL Round 19
Sydney Swans v Brisbane
Saturday, August 5
Blacktown International Sportspark, 9.45am
B: Colin O’Riordan, Ryan Hebron**, Darcy Baron-Hay**
HB: Nic Newman, Nathan Cooper**, Sam Murray
C: Jack Hiscox, Tom Derickx, Jordan Dawson
HF: Jeremy Laidler, Ned Reinhard**, Matt Wilson**
F: Ben Davis**, James Rose, Luke Robertson**
Foll: Kyle Galloway, Callum McFadden**, Harry Marsh
Inter: Tyrone Leonardis, Jordan Foote, Ben McGlynn, Ted Richards, Brandon Jack
Emer: Jake Brown**, Jake Veale**
In: Jordan Dawson, Tom Derickx, Jordan Foote, Jeremy Laidler, Tyrone Leonardis, Callum McFadden
Out: Toby Nankervis, Jack Hardman, Jared Deep, Jake Barthlomaeus, Jake Veale, Jake Brown
* Denotes senior emergency
** Denotes QBE Sydney Swans Academy top-up
