Richards, who was named as the Swans’ first emergency, found out just ten minutes before the opening bounce that he would be taking the field in place of the injured Mitch Morton, who was a late withdrawal from the match after suffering quad tightness in the pre-match warm-up.
Unlike his fellow first-year team mates who had time to plan for their AFL debuts in previous weeks, before Richards knew it, he was on the SCG running through the banner alongside his older brother Ted and the Swans senior team.
“As first emergency I was warming up inside and not with the boys because I wasn’t allowed on the oval,” Richards told sydneyswans.com.au.
“I was just going through what I was told to do as first emergency, expecting to put my clothes back on and go upstairs and watch the game.
“Then as the team came in we got into the huddle and Horse (Swans coach John Longmire) told everyone that I was playing, and then five minutes later we were running through the banner.
“I was a bit stunned and then had a bit of adrenaline, and then I was fine after that.”
Despite being thrust into senior football at short notice, Richards said he never doubted that he had what it took to play his role for the Swans on Friday night.
The younger Richards’ brother said the support of his team mates after he was announced in the side provided him with even more confidence ahead of the match.
“As soon as Horse said it, everyone got around me and that really lifted my spirits,” he said.
“The whole team just got up and about straight away and the voice and energy went up, and the whole team was getting around me and giving me advice.
“They were just telling me the whole time to be ready for anything and to expect to come on at any moment in any role.
“I felt very confident and I never felt anxious or underprepared. I just had pure confidence and excitement, and I never thought any bad thoughts at all.”
Early in the final term, Richards was given the directive that he would replace Jesse White on field, and would play a role deep in attack for the Swans.
The role was a far cry from the key defensive post he has been holding down for the Swans reserves this season, but the 20-year-old said he wasn’t worried about playing up forward.
“I wasn’t anxious about what position I would be in and I was confident I could do my job and just compete, and I love the wet conditions,” he said.
“When I was running on I was telling myself ‘I’ve got to get a stat, I’ve got to get a stat’.
“I didn’t want to get donuts in my first game!”
It didn’t take long for Richards to make an impact after losing the green vest, charging onto the first loose ball and kicking it forward to the advantage of Ben McGlynn, who subsequently won a free kick and scored a vital goal.
Almost six months on from when he was taken by the Swans in the AFL Rookie Draft, Richards said he was proud to have reached his goal of making his AFL debut, particularly alongside his older brother.
“Mum and dad just asked me if I thought eight months ago I’d be in the scenario I’m in and it’s funny how everything has happened so fast,” he said.
“I think Ted was just really proud and extra proud that we won and that he got to play with his brother and there was just some real joy after the game.”
