Xavier Richards follows brother Ted’s example, earns new Sydney Swans contract

XAVIER Richards says if there’s one thing he’s learned from his big brother Ted, it’s to hang tough when things aren’t going your way.

Xavier Richards outmarks Fremantle’s Garrick Ibbotson.

IT WAS only a month ago the end appeared nigh for the famous Richards surname at the Swans.

Ted was on the verge of retirement, Xavier had played just two senior matches in three years and there were no other family member waiting in the wings.

But Xavier Richards says if there’s one thing he’s learned from his big brother Ted, it’s to hang tough when things aren’t going your way.

And that commitment is set to be rewarded with a two-year contract extension at the Swans after discussions on a new deal began this week.

Since his inclusion — at Ted’s expense — for the Swans’ Round 18 match against Carlton, Xavier hasn’t looked back, kicking two goals in each of his three games and helping Sydney to important wins over the Blues, Fremantle and Port Adelaide.

Sunday night dinners and post-game chats with his elder sibling have served him well.

“I’ve learned the power of resilience from Ted,” Xavier Richards told the Daily Telegraph.

“A lot of people fail in the AFL. If you’re playing the reserves, injured or in a form slump you have to keep trying and things turn.”

Xavier Richards celebrates a goal against Port Adelaide.

Ted practised what he preached when it came to hanging tough. In 2010 when he was dropped to reserves for seven games straight, his career looked to be finished with a young Heath Grundy on the rise.

“Ted had accepted 2010 was going to be his last year,” Xavier Richards said.

“He was planning to move to Stockholm (Sweden) to study his MBA but Craig Bolton got hurt and he got his spot back.

“He said, ‘I’ve got a second chance from God and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got’.

“He worked enormously hard in the pre-season and came back fitter than he’s ever been. He finished fifth in the best-and-fairest in 2011 and second in 2012, winning the premiership and All-Australian selection.”

Xavier Richards leaves a Carlton opponent in his wake.

Ted’s switch from attack to defence worked a treat a decade ago and a move in the opposite direction looks to have saved Xavier’s career as well.

After playing as a key defender for three years the Swans coaches decided midyear to try Xavier up forward in the NEAFL team. It worked brilliantly with Xavier averaged five goals per game over five consecutive matches, the highlight coming against the Suns reserves when he kicked eight.

“I’ve never played forward before and I think I surprised a few people how I played,” Richards said.

“I’m getting my confidence and improving every week.”

Originally published as Xavier Richards follows brother Ted’s example, earns new Sydney Swans contract