Ted Richards
Encyclopedia
Ted Richards is an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
He was recruited as the number 27 draft pick in the 2000 AFL Draft
from Xavier College
. He made his debut for Essendon
in Round 2, 2002 against Richmond
and played for Essendon until the end of the 2005 season.
At the end of the 2005 season he told Essendon that he wanted to be traded to continue his career at a new club. So therefore he moved to the Sydney Swans
in exchange for pick No. 19 and 50. He made his debut for the Sydney Swans
in Round 1, 2006, coincidentally against his former teammates at Essendon
. After a disastrous opening quarter for the Swans (despite having kicked the first goal) in which Leo Barry had six goals slammed against him, coach Paul Roos put Richards onto Matthew Lloyd
, who had already kicked six goals. The change paid dividends, as Richards kept his former leader goalless in the second quarter. Despite this, his old club conquered by 27 points, in what turned out to be Essendon's only win for the first half of the season. He has become a regular member of the Swans' backline, but occasionally moves forward as required.
On 30 September 2006, Richards played in the AFL Grand Final and put in a good effort for the Sydney Swans. In the game, he was knocked unconscious in the final five minutes and is said to have lost memory of parts of the game.
In 2009 he suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs when he collided with then-Carlton
forward Brendan Fevola
in the final 30 seconds of the Swans' loss against Carlton (its first since 2000, ending a 12-match dominance) at Etihad Stadium. Richards missed the rest of the season as a result, as the Swans missed the finals for the first time in seven years. He also was forced to travel back to Sydney by road.
In 2010, Richards initially looked like he would struggle to win a consistent spot in the 22. However Craig Bolton's injury provided a spot for Richards in the Swans' defence. His season was capped off with him winning the Best Clubman Award. At the end of the year he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of New South Wales, and combined with his football career at the Sydney Swans he now works part time in the banking industry whilst studying for a Master of Finance degree.
After a particularly strong end to 2010, Richards continued to play consistent football throughout 2011. He became the Swans' undisputed best defender and would take on the top forwards around the AFL every week, rarely being beaten. His fine year was rewarded with a 5th place finish in the Bob Skilton Medal.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
He was recruited as the number 27 draft pick in the 2000 AFL Draft
2000 AFL Draft
The 2000 AFL Draft was the annual draft of talented Australian rules football players by teams that participate in the Australian Football League. It consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation....
from Xavier College
Xavier College
Xavier College is a Roman Catholic, day and boarding school predominantly for boys, with its main campus located in Kew, an eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
. He made his debut for Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
in Round 2, 2002 against Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
and played for Essendon until the end of the 2005 season.
At the end of the 2005 season he told Essendon that he wanted to be traded to continue his career at a new club. So therefore he moved to the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in exchange for pick No. 19 and 50. He made his debut for the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in Round 1, 2006, coincidentally against his former teammates at Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
. After a disastrous opening quarter for the Swans (despite having kicked the first goal) in which Leo Barry had six goals slammed against him, coach Paul Roos put Richards onto Matthew Lloyd
Matthew Lloyd
Matthew James Lloyd is a former Australian rules footballer who played for and was the captain of the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League...
, who had already kicked six goals. The change paid dividends, as Richards kept his former leader goalless in the second quarter. Despite this, his old club conquered by 27 points, in what turned out to be Essendon's only win for the first half of the season. He has become a regular member of the Swans' backline, but occasionally moves forward as required.
On 30 September 2006, Richards played in the AFL Grand Final and put in a good effort for the Sydney Swans. In the game, he was knocked unconscious in the final five minutes and is said to have lost memory of parts of the game.
In 2009 he suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs when he collided with then-Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
forward Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola
Brendan Fevola is a professional Australian rules footballer. He played with the Carlton and Brisbane Lions football clubs in the Australian Football League....
in the final 30 seconds of the Swans' loss against Carlton (its first since 2000, ending a 12-match dominance) at Etihad Stadium. Richards missed the rest of the season as a result, as the Swans missed the finals for the first time in seven years. He also was forced to travel back to Sydney by road.
In 2010, Richards initially looked like he would struggle to win a consistent spot in the 22. However Craig Bolton's injury provided a spot for Richards in the Swans' defence. His season was capped off with him winning the Best Clubman Award. At the end of the year he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of New South Wales, and combined with his football career at the Sydney Swans he now works part time in the banking industry whilst studying for a Master of Finance degree.
After a particularly strong end to 2010, Richards continued to play consistent football throughout 2011. He became the Swans' undisputed best defender and would take on the top forwards around the AFL every week, rarely being beaten. His fine year was rewarded with a 5th place finish in the Bob Skilton Medal.
External links
- http://thebeast.com.au/people/ted-richards-swanning-about-in-tamarama/