Richards wary of flag distraction

Sydney's Ted Richards plays his 150th AFL match this weekend. Source: Getty Images

BITTER memories of the last time Sydney unfurled an AFL premiership flag have Swans milestone man Ted Richards on alert for Saturday's match against Gold Coast.

The Swans will spend a few minutes out on the SCG around half an hour before the game when the flag is unfurled, before returning to the sheds.

Richards, who will play his 150th game for Sydney on Saturday, knows all too well a day of celebration can quickly turn sour.

"In my first game on the SCG back in 2006, we unfurled the flag here in Round 2 and we got smashed out here (by Port Adelaide)," Richards recalled.

"From memory they jumped us right from the start, so we've learnt from that to concentrate.

"I'm fully aware that if we take our mind off what it should be on, that we can be in for a real shock."

Richards was impressed by the professionalism and growing maturity of the Suns in their opening-round win against St Kilda.

He revealed Sydney had focused on not allowing a repetition of their second-quarter drop-off against Greater Western Sydney, which kicked five straight goals to temporarily take the lead.

"We've spoken a fair bit so far this week about not giving teams the opportunity to come back once we get a lead," Richards said.

Reaching his 150th game for Sydney is the latest up in what 30-year-old Richards cheerfully admits has been a rollercoaster ride of a career.

"Only a few years ago I spent eight weeks straight in the reserves and thought that my time in footy was up," Richards said.

Firmly entrenched in defence, Richards was initially slated to play at the opposite end of the field after being traded by Essendon.

"I actually came up here to be a key forward prospect, to help out Barry Hall and Micky O'Loughlin," Richards said.

"I took a turn halfway through my career, but I'm happy down back. I really enjoy my footy, down there."

Richards said playing a senior game alongside younger brother Xavier was an ambition, with his 19-year-old sibling starting his career in the Sydney reserves last weekend by playing on GWS veteran Setanta O'hAilpin.

"I had a look at his tape and he did some really good things," Richards said.

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