FORMER Sydney forward Xavier Richards won't nominate for this year's NAB AFL Draft, almost certainly completing one of the AFL's strangest career exits.

The 24-year-old registered just two matches in his first three-and-a-half seasons at the Swans, only to break into the senior side in round 18, 2016 and go on to play in that season's Grand Final.

Richards was good enough to kick multiple goals in five of his 10 games that year, but then requested a trade to a Melbourne club, citing Sydney's cost of living as the major reason.

None came forward and he was unable to find an AFL home in any of last year's drafts, before committing to NEAFL team Sydney University for the 2017 season.

The choice to remain in the Harbour City enabled him to study a post-graduate business degree, as well as working in marketing, while continuing to play football at a decent standard. His girlfriend is also from Sydney.

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Richards, who stands 195cm, started the NEAFL season in attack – kicking 14 goals in five contests – before returning to his backline roots as both an intercept specialist and lockdown defender.

The younger brother of 261-game ex-Sydney and Essendon defender Ted also slotted the sealing goal for the NEAFL against Tasmania in representative duty in June.

But the AFL dream no longer drives Richards despite there being some interest in him, according to Sydney University football manager Chris Goodrope.

"Xavier's been outstanding and really bought into our program, and was brilliant in team meetings and really helped the development of the young boys," Goodrope told AFL.com.au.

"He had an OK year by his standards. He sort of got thrown forward, then thrown back for the second half of the year – and that's where he dominated NEAFL.

"He's very much settled into his full-time work and studying.

"We are in a semi-professional, elite environment here, and I think he's enjoyed it being a bit more relaxed than the full-time AFL environment."

Richards intends to play for Sydney University again next year.

Prospective AFL footballers must now nominate for the draft every year rather than the previous rolling three-year eligibility.