2099 days. Think about that for a second. Try and picture what you were doing 2099 days ago.
If you need some help, it was the 25th of July 2010. Difficult right?
They were simpler times for AFL fans. Gold Coast Suns? GWS Giants? Who? Collingwood were on top, West Coast were on the bottom. Carlton were in the middle.
Thymosin-Beta 4? ASADA? Drug scandal? What?
It was also, the last time that Ted Richards had kicked a goal on Australian soil. That is, before Saturday’s action. Sure, he dobbed one through the big sticks against the Saints in Wellington in 2013 (a mere 1095 days ago), but that doesn’t really count.
Which is why folks, it’s official. The Goal of the Year contest is done.
For the uninitiated, Teddy began his footballing life SuperTed – playing largely as an ‘every-man’ for Essendon under the watchful eye of Kevin Sheedy. He drifted across half-back, floated onto the wing, snuck around on the forward flank, hell, he probably lined up at full-forward once or twice.
His 33 games for the Dons resulted in 19 goals. Not too shabby a return.
Making the move to Sydney, Richards found himself down back. Forays forward have been rare ever since – except for 2008 when he exploded for four goals across the 24 games.
Teddy’s never been one for the spotlight. 257 games have returned a grand total of seven Brownlow votes. He’s what you would call, a ‘dour’ footballer. He’s toiled away down back, defeating forward after forward.
On Saturday however, SuperTed returned. His Spider Senses tingled, he ripped open his shirt and threw away his glasses, charged up his arc reactor, and revealed once again the goal-kicking machine inside of him.
It had been a tight tussle in the opening two quarters between the Swans and Eagles. Wet weather ensured the contest was a ‘slog’. There were seven minutes to go in the second quarter, and the Swans were three points up. A frantic contest for the ball saw the Sherrin spill outside 50.
Mere mortals may have fumbled in the spur of the moment, the pressure and frenetic pace of the game proving too much.
SuperTed didn’t blink. He gathered. Calmly took one step towards goal. Swung the ball sweetly onto his right boot. Goal. Game over.
Drop mic.
It was a moment six years in the making. No banana, dribble, ‘barrel from 60-metres out’, snap, weave, or five-bounces-evading-three-tackles goal can top that.
Give the man the car.
Michael Huston
Guest
Clearly I've been watching AFL a little more closely than you, given that: 1. Aliir is the best key defender-ish player we have right now on form, ahead of Xavier Richards. 2. Teddy's been beaten pretty regularly over the last year and a bit whenever he's faced the opposition's key forward. 3. Ted just played one of his best games of the last few years... as a loose man on the flank.
Michael Huston
Guest
It is hit and miss, but when we put a debutant (Rampe) in the role of a premiership player (Johnson), we haven't looked back since. What's the worst that can happen? Aliir can't hold it with a B-grade Brisbane forward? At that point, Longmire would switch things up anyway. I say bite the bullet and give Aliir a go.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
For sure - Grundy and Richards each have their roles to fill (and are doing it quite effectively this season). Sydney will be hoping that the loss of a key defensive player doesn't disrupt the rest of their structure. Mind you, I would be more worried my own defence stopping blokes like Franklin and Tippett if I was the opposition.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
I had no idea that Richards was injured from the game until these comments - terrible end to a brilliant game from Teddy! It will be very interesting to see who fills the role - throwing a youngster into a key defensive post is always a hit'n'miss scenario!
Stewie
Guest
Ripper piece haha. Will be interesting to see what the Swans do with him out for a few weeks. Aliir seems to be ahead of Xav at this stage in terms of raw form, but Xav is a better one-on-one defender.
Stewie
Guest
Whilst HBF isn't quite right, I get what Michael means. Ted ideally wouldn't be a key lockdown defender playing on the best opposition forward, he'd be more like a Gibson-esque third tall who'd float around spoiling everything that comes in. Besides, positions on a team sheet rarely mean anything these days.
Stewart
Guest
Aliir will be lucky to ever play in the seniors and Ted on a flank? Seriously? Ted plays key position defence or not at all, simple as that. How long have you been supporting AFL, your comments/articles read like you have learnt the game from reading the comments of others?
Penster
Guest
Ted's brother Xavier Richards is waiting in the wings, he's shaping up to be a decent defender. Needs game time, could get poached.
Gecko
Guest
Well written Samuel, even if Teddy's exploits still don't make the highlights reel this week. Good point Michael about Grundy being the better full back against more mobile full forwards (which is pretty much all full forwards nowadays except Cloke, Tippett and the resting rucks) and Teddy being better value when he can peel off his man and play a supporting role.
Michael Huston
Guest
... except he's now out for two weeks. Oh well, bring on Aliir I say! As for Ted, he's an absolute champ. It often goes unnoticed but he's particularly defensive of his team-mates and in most interviews will constantly name names of blokes on the list he's proud of. You can tell he bleeds the Swans and you can't ask for much more. He was bloody brilliant on Saturday playing the loose man in defence/floating half back, but if anyone gets the 'super' title it should be Heath Grundy. The guy completely shut Kennedy down despite him clearly being the Eagles mids' most-preferred target. I don't think Teddy's quite as reliable playing key defender, as his speed and strength can be exposed. But he's still one of the best in the comp at reading the play and his opponent, so I like him on the HBF.