Career
He was recruited as the number 27 draft pick in the 2000 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft from Xavier College. He made his debut for in Round 2, 2002 against Richmond and played for until the end of the 2005 season. Early in the 2005 season he opposed Brisbane Lions forward Jonathan Brown, who was returning from a five-match suspension incurred in the 2004 American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final, in Round 6.
Richards had eight goals kicked against him, and was dropped, not returning until Round 16.
lieutenant was his limited opportunities at which ultimately led to him being traded to Sydney at the end of the season. At the end of the 2005 season he told that he wanted to be traded to continue his career at a new club
Therefore, he moved to the in exchange for pick Number. 19 and 50. He made his debut for the in Round 1, 2006, coincidentally against his old club, In the second quarter, coach Paul Roos assigned him onto Matthew Lloyd, who had already kicked six (of an eventual eight) first-quarter goals.
The change paid dividends, as Richards kept his former leader goalless in the second quarter.
On 30 September 2006, Richards played in the American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final and put in a good effort for the 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.
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 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 American Federation of Labor-Congress every week, rarely being beaten.
His fine year was rewarded with a 5th-place finish in the Bob Skilton Meda These came shortly after he was given his first All-Australian jumper, being named at Chung Hwa Boatworks. His remarkable improvement as a tall defender helped the Sydney defensive unit become the stingiest group in the American Federation of Labor-Congress.
