While Fremantle are renowned for their defensive and contested game, with the side ranked fourth in the competition for contested possessions, over the last three rounds the Dockers have also averaged 107 points per game.
Speaking to media at the SCG ahead of the club’s final training session, Richards said Fremantle’s recent form indicates just how strong an attacking side they can be when they’re on their game.
“What we normally do is look back at their last month,” Richards said.
“That’s the real indication, because if you look back say four months ago, they’ve had personnel changes and maybe even game-style changes.
“We have noticed that over the last month they are playing very attacking football and their small forwards, and their tall forwards, are really kicking goals.
“In particular, last week against Port it was an intense game and they had a good win there and they are playing really good footy.
“That’s what we’re doing our homework on.”
One of the catalysts for Fremantle’s attacking prowess has been the form of small forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters, who have booted 14 goals between them in the last three rounds.
Richards, who is likely to get the match up on Docker captain Matthew Pavlich in Saturday’s match, backed his team’s small defenders against the opposing dynamic duo, and highlighted All Australian nominee Nick Smith as one of the men for the job.
“I think we do (have the players to cover the pair),” Richards said.
“It was great to see Nick Smith get picked in the All-Australian squad because, I might be biased, but I think he’s a player who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
“It was great to see the other guys, but in particular ‘Smooch’.
“He’s an important player for us and he shuts down gun small forwards, and we’ve got a couple of other options who we can put on the other guys, but Nick will be going for one of them.
“(Ballantyne) is probably a match up that makes a bit of sense (for Smith).”
Richards said the Swans defence would also ensure that Ballantyne would not get under their skin in this week’s final.
“We know how he plays and I think for fans, it’s a good part of footy,” Richards said of Ballantyne.
“There’s a bit of banter on field and he polarises the crowd, but if you can’t handle a bit of banter on the field then you’re in the wrong profession.
“But what you can’t deny is that he’s a bloody good player too.
“I think a lot of people speak a lot about what he does away from the ball and things like that, but his real strength is his ability to win hard balls and kick goals.”
Richards and Pavlich have had many battles together over the years, including in round five this season when Pavlich kicked four goals, but the Swans were able to prevail by 17 points.
Despite Pavlich's goals, Richards was also among the Swans' better players on the day, finishing with 19 disposals and seven marks.
"We played on each other out here (at the SCG) and he was able to kick a few on me and I was able to win a few contests," Richards said.
"Pavlich is such a good player because he's a key position forward that is unique in that it's not uncommon for him to go into centre bounces.
"He's got a really well-balanced game … (and) he doesn't seem to age.
"He has the same level he plays at each year and has high standards. He's always been able to play forward, but also play midfield.
"It's a hard thing to do, but he seems to do it every year."
Looking ahead to Saturday, Richards said he was looking forward to playing in his first home qualifying final in his nine seasons at the Swans.
The defender said the team was well-placed to perform at their best this weekend, with a near full-strength team likely for Saturday’s clash, with Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn, Mike Pyke and Craig Bird all taking part in Thursday’s final training session.
“The good thing to see is that we’re going into a qualifying final main training session on a Thursday and I don’t think any player right now has been ruled out for the weekend,” he said.
“We’re going in with pretty much a full strength team, hopefully, and that’s in contrast to last year where it was just a different team every week.”
