SYDNEY Swans defender Ted Richards has been released from hospital after four days of treatment for injuries suffered in last Saturday's horrific on-field clash with Carlton's Brendan Fevola.

The 105kg spearhead's knee broke four of Richards' ribs – two of them twice – and punctured a lung but the defender was all smiles as he left Melbourne's Alfred Hospital on Wednesday night.

"I'm feeling better. I'm just excited about being able to get out of here," he said. "I've spent a while in here and I got a bit sick and tired of sitting in the same bed watching TV. Midday TV is not too good.

"Blood and fluid was getting into my lung and they had to drain that out. It was just a matter of getting all that out before I was allowed to go home but the lung has come up really well."

Richards sustained the injuries when he courageously blocked the path of Fevola, who was charging out on a lead, with just 30 seconds remaining in a match the Blues won by 61 points.

He clearly remembers the incident and thought he had just winded himself before feeling sharp pain in his back.

"I don't know what the intellect was there – it wasn't going to change anything was it?" he said.

"I'd like to think I'd do it [again]. Some people can't understand that and probably I can't either. I wouldn't mind having a look at it just to see what happened because I think I left myself pretty open.

"I'd like to think if a similar situation happened that I'd be willing to keep my eyes on the football. That's something that every footballer has to deal with."

Richards will be unable to do any form of exercise for approximately six weeks, ruling him out of the rest of the home and away rounds, but he has been assured of a full recovery well before the start of the Swans' pre-season campaign.

The 26-year-old has been visited by former Essendon teammates during his stay and also received a text from Fevola wishing him well on Saturday night.

Richards will be unable to fly back to Sydney due to the nature of the injury but will board a train for the harbour city in the next week.