For Swans defender Ted Richards, Friday night football is something to get excited about.

With this week’s game against the Cats expected to be a sell-out, Richards said the vibe around the Swans’ one and only Friday night match for the season is electric.

“I think we had one (Friday night game) last year and previously we never got them, so we’ve got one this year and all the players are really pumped about playing in it,” Richards said.

“Personally, the amount of people coming up to me and saying they’re really looking forward to Friday night football in Sydney is fantastic.

“It’s just a shame that we’ve lost a third of the capacity here because I reckon even if that stand (the old Bradman Stand) was still there the place would be full.”

But for Richards, one Friday night match doesn’t seem enough.

The key defender said he hopes to see more Friday night games at the SCG, including the possibility of an annual Good Friday game in the Harbour City.

“Friday night football definitely gets that bigger TV audience down in the football states in Victoria and SA, and it’s definitely something we want more of,” he said.

“I think it would be fantastic (to play on Good Friday).

“Up here we already play rugby league on Friday and I think if we had the opportunity to play Friday night football on (Good Friday) I think that is something that Sydney would really embrace.

“I think it could be a great opportunity to show AFL in Sydney and I think the club would be all for it.”

Not only will this week’s match against the Cats mark the only Friday night game for the Swans this season, it could also mark the return of Swans’ co-captain Adam Goodes.

Richards said Goodes, who has been sidelined for six weeks with a quad injury, returned to full training on the weekend.

“We’re really optimistic (about Adam Goodes),” he said.

“He trained on Saturday and didn’t have much of a break over the bye.

“He’s been really working hard and he’s going to be doing full training today and if he gets through today and Wednesday then he’s all good for Friday.”

The last time the Swans met the Cats was in round 23 last year at Skilled Stadium (now Simonds Stadium), when the Swans came away with an emotionally charged 13-point win over the eventual premiers.

“Last year they were such a team and … we struggled to beat the top teams, so (beating Geelong) was something we did set ourselves, and I think we did get a bit of confidence out of it,” Richards said of last year’s win over the Cats.

“They will probably be wanting to come hard at us to make amends for what happened last year.”

Richards added that there was no doubt he and his fellow defenders would have their hands full dealing with Geelong’s big forward line this Friday night.

“I’ve been playing against Geelong for the past few years so I know it’s going to be (James) Podsiadly or (Tom) Hawkins or maybe a resting ruckman,” he said.

“These guys are fantastic contested markers, which is to some extent really hard to stop, so we can’t be giving them marks inside 50 and easy shots on goal.

“These guys are premiership players and are quality players, so myself, Heath Grundy and Alex Johnson will be sitting down with Johnny Blakey and doing our homework.”