Competition is heating up between the Sydney Swans defenders this pre-season, but Xavier Richards believes that can only be a good thing.

With the team determined to improve, Richards said he and his teammates have been driving one another over the summer months.

“There’s a lot of competition, no one would see it as a bad thing, it’s very good, very healthy competition,” Richards told SwansTV.

“That’s something at the Swans we’re very lucky with, we get the best out of each other because we’re all challenging and pushing one another.

“Aliir’s been training really well, Ted’s in good shape, Heath Grundy’s going really well, so there’s really good, healthy competition.”

The defender has enjoyed an uninterrupted pre-season so far.

Richards has had the perfect start to his pre-season campaign with the key position player completing every session.

After encouraging talks with the coaches at the end of 2014, and with two pre-seasons already under his belt, Richards believes he’s well prepared for the season ahead and hopes to make the most of it.

“The coaches were quite positive (at the end of last season), they sent the message to me that I’m on the right path, but I’m like anyone else, I’ve always got areas to improve on, but they told me 2015 is a big opportunity and a big year for me and I’m looking forward to grabbing it with both hands,” he said.

The 21-year-old has spent the summer months working really hard on his defensive parts of his game, particularly his one-on-ones and spoiling.

With his brother Ted, a veteran of 231 games, always on hand for advice, Richards is also drawing on the experience of the players he’s tackling directly during pre-season training.

Richards is determined to make the most of pre-season and have a big year in red and white.

“Ted’s a massive mentor for my football life and off-field life but Heath Grundy and the key forwards at the Swans – Buddy, Tippo, Goodesy and Reidy – everyone helps me out and the development coaches too,” he said.

“There are a lot of great role models who really help me out.”

Rewarded with a contract extension and a spot on the club’s senior list at the end of last season, Richards is really happy with the rate he’s developing but won’t be resting on his laurels.

“I was absolutely over the moon (to get the contract extension),” he said.

“I love the club, I love Sydney and to be here for another two years I’m absolutely rapt.

“The coaches have put a lot of faith in me and I’m looking forward to pleasing them with my performance.”