Sydney Swans defender Ted Richards has today announced he’ll retire at the end of the season.



Much loved among the red and white faithful, Richards has been a popular and integral member of Sydney’s team for the past 11 years.



Richards joined the Club from Essendon during the 2005 trade period with 33 games under his belt.



Originally recruited as a forward, it’s been in the backline where Richards has played out the majority of his career and emerged as one of the competition’s elite fullbacks.



Arguably, Richards’ most memorable season was in 2012 when he played an outstanding role in the Club’s premiership triumph, was rewarded with a maiden All Australian guernsey and finished runner-up in the Club Champion award.



The 261-gamer will continue to pull on the red and white guernsey until the team’s season comes to an end.



Senior coach John Longmire says Richards has made a huge impact at the Swans.



“Ted has been incredible – he’s really the epitome of a balanced footballer,” Longmire said.



“He has always trained really hard and worked really hard, but he also loves having a laugh and is a great family man.”



Longmire also offered a glimpse into the No. 25’s work ethic.



“I still remember in 2010, he was in and out of the team at different times, so he was thinking about making plans to move overseas to live and thought his football career might have been finished.



“But instead, Ted dedicated himself to becoming the best defender he could possibly be and went to the whole 2010 finals series to study all of the best defenders in the competition.



“The following year, in 2011, Ted finished fifth in our Club Champion award. In our premiership year he finished Club Champion runner-up and was named the All Australian centre half-back – so he was able to drive his own career, set standards for himself and achieve those standards.”



Ted Richards Stats

DOB: January 11, 1983

Draft history: Pick 27, 2000 National Draft

AFL Debut: Round 2, 2002 v Richmond

Swans Debut: Round 1, 2006 v Essendon

AFL Games: 261

AFL Premiership 2012

All Australian 2012

Swans Most Improved 2007

Swans Best Clubman 2010

Ted Richards with wife Ella and son Beau at the SCG after announcing his retirement.