Sydney Swans Ted Richards, Aliir Aliir battling to play in Grand Final

BEING chaired off is a great way to end an AFL career. Unfortunately for Ted Richards, that moment came at Sydney Swans training.

Ted Richards at Sydney Swans training. Picture. Phil Hillyard

ALIIR Aliir may not have the runs on the board to convince Sydney he can play through injury in a Grand Final, but Ted Richards won’t be replacing him if Monday’s heartwarming send-off at the SCG was anything to go by.

To be chaired off the field for your farewell game is sport’s ultimate salute to a champion.

Sadly for Sydney favourite Richards, that moment came in front of a few hundred loyal supporters at a training run, and seemingly won’t be repeated on Grand Final day.

Of course, no decisions have been made yet on the Swans selection puzzle, and young star Xavier Richards still holds some hope that he will be able to fulfil a dream and play alongside his elder brother on Grand Final day.

But skipper Jarrad McVeigh returning from a calf injury to replace Aliir, who is battling a medial strain in his knee, is shaping as the most likely scenario for the Swans, as coach John Longmire revealed his philosophy on trusting players with injury.

Sydney Swans player Aliir Aliir takes part in light ball drills during an open training session yesterday.

Longmire says you need seasons of AFL experience — which McVeigh has — to learn what it’s like to play through the pain barrier, and working against Aliir is the fact he has just 13 games to his name in this his rookie campaign.

“We did make the decision last week not to push Jarrad and I’m pretty confident that was the right call in the end,” said Longmire, who will look at how McVeigh, Aliir and Callum Mills all pull up from Wednesday’s session before making his selection calls.

“(Jarrad’s) an experienced player. I guess when you’re talking about the younger players compared to the experienced players — the experienced players have a bit more to draw upon as far as experiences in the bank in what they can play with and what they can’t.

“Certainly those discussions will be taking place later on in the week with our medical staff and the players themselves.”

Ted Richards took to Twitter to play down the meaning of his touching exit from the SCG on the shoulders of teammates Callum Sinclair and Toby Nankervis — but the Richards’ clan know that the 33-year-old’s chances of being recalled for a Grand Final are slim.

Ted Richards takes part in Sydney Swans training. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Xavier Richards says farewelling his brother in a Grand Final would be a fairytale, but if this is the end, 261-game veteran Ted, although disappointed, would retire a satisfied man.

“You couldn’t write a season like that. If that was to happen it’d be absolutely crazy,” said Xavier.

“I couldn’t comprehend it. We’re realistic. There’s only a small chance and to be honest I would hate to see Aliir get ruled out — he deserves it.

“Ted would love to play in a Grand Final, I don’t think there would be anyone who wouldn’t want to. But he’s pretty satisfied with his career.

“He’s not going to walk away from football thinking, ‘I wish I had done that or done this’. He’s played over 250 games, played in three premierships, won one. All-Australian, and been in the leadership group, won a Rising Star … he’s very satisfied.

“He’s happy I’m in the team at the moment. He’s described it as bittersweet.”

Originally published as Sydney Swans Ted Richards, Aliir Aliir battling to play in Grand Final