Sydney brothers Ted and Xavier Richards take great pride in each other’s achievements

WHEN Ted Richards was playing for Essendon he would often take his little brother to club functions. A few years later they were playing for the same club.

Ted Richards during Sydney Swans training. Picture: Mark Evans

WHEN he moved to Sydney in 2013, Xavier Richards lived with big brother Ted. Thus he enjoyed the trappings of a beach front apartment in Bondi while the other Swans rookies were located in less salubrious parts of town.

But after 12 months the younger Richards noticed subtle changes. Fancy skin care products and fluffy pink towels appeared in the bathroom. The scent of perfume replaced the smell of post-gymnasium sweat and there were women’s clothes on the drying rack.

It didn’t take Xavier long to work out Ted’s future wife Ella was moving in and — though he hadn’t been told yet — he was moving out.

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“I wanted to live with some teammates anyway,’’ says Xavier. ‘’But getting kicked out gave me a pretty good story for Ted’s wedding.’’

For the Richards brothers — separated by 10 years (Ted is 33 and Xavier 23) and by 900km when Ted moved to the Swans from Essendon — their period of cohabitation was special. It allowed them to form a bond they might never have shared.

Xavier and Ted Richards enjoy a moment after a Sydney win.

When Richards was playing for Essendon he would often take his little brother to club functions. Xavier did fitness sessions with the team and hung out with AFL legends such as Matthew Lloyd while his friends were clamouring for their autographs.

“But we were a bit apart,’’ says Ted. ‘’When Xav moved up we went from seeing each other not very much to being together all the time. We got pretty close.’’

Says Xavier: “I got a nice apartment just over the road from the beach and minimal rent. But he also taught me a lot about professionalism, how to act around the club, personal hygiene ...’’

The bond forged between the Richards brothers makes the unexpected turn of events this season more poignant. The way it has been reported little brother Xavier has taken big brother Ted’s place in a Sydney team entering the finals with high hopes of premiership glory.

But unlike Xavier’s subtle eviction, Ted believes this is not a case of two Richards being one too many. ‘’I don’t think it has been a legitimate one-for-one swap. He’s playing up forward doing things I could never do. So Xav’s earned this spot, it’s not like he’s taken mine. I’m super excited for him and what he’s doing.’’

Ted Richards with his wife Ella and son Beau. Picture: Cameron Richardson.

Xavier insists he never felt overshadowed by Ted when he came to the Swans. But both brothers believe Xavier was stereotyped as a defender because he had a similar physique and the same surname.

That meant waiting patiently for an opportunity in defence while Ted and Heath Grundy played 100 consecutive games in the key positions without injury.

“In the NEAFL (with the Swans reserves) I was playing full-back for three years in a team where the opposition was averaging five inside-50s per-game,’’ says Xavier. “You didn’t see much of the ball.’’

Then this season Xavier was moved forward. A string of excellent performances earnt him senior selection in the same round Ted was left out. He had suffered a number of injuries including a series of concussions. Since then Xavier has prospered in the recalibrated Swans’ attack.

Ted has taken the changed circumstances with typical good humour. When Xavier was picked he joked “I’m still Karl Stefanovic and Xavier is still Peter Stefanovic’’. Now he laments: ‘’I’ve become like Richard Wilkins. The old bloke off to the side.’’

Xavier Richards celebrates a goal for the Swans. Picture: Getty Images

Ted has announced his retirement. Ideally the brother’s time together at the Swans would end with an on-field embrace. Ted, who will play in the NEAFL grand final on Sunday against the Giants, still holds out some hope of a recall.

“There’s a small chance,’’ he says. ‘’I’m coming to training each day with that mindset. But if I don’t play again I’m content with that. A NEAFL Premiership wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.’’

The way the Richards brothers constantly finish each other’s sentences and contradict one another without fear of offence is one indication of their healthy sibling relationship. Another is the pride they take in each other’s achievements.

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Xavier says watching Ted play in the 2012 premiership remains the best day of his life. ‘’I get tingles thinking about the game, leading up to it, the excitement,’’ he says. ‘’The after-party too. Everything about that whole day.’’

Even if their time at the Swans doesn’t end in the same team, or on the same day, you know the Richards brothers will always treasure the years they have had together.

Originally published as Sydney brothers Ted and Xavier Richards take great pride in each other’s achievements