Richards is more than happy to be celebrating the milestone in his old hometown, as it allows his Melbourne-based family and friends to cheer him on in the vital clash.
"It's great that it's worked out that I'm playing it down in Melbourne. All my family is there so they'll all be able to come along to the game and not have to worry about buying the airfares and flying up," Richards said today.
"Its a big day for me but also the team. It's been an up and down journey but at the same time I'm really excited for my 100th."
The 25-year-old defender debuted in 2002 for Essendon, playing 33 matches for the Bombers before his trade to the Swans.
"When I found out I was playing my first game I wasn't thinking about going on to play 100. I was just worried about that one game. I was nervous but I guess excited at the same time."
The strong marking defender - a NAB Rising Star nominee in 2003 - debuted for the Swans against his former club in the opening round of 2006. His 66 subsequent appearances for the red and white included the heartbreaking loss in the 2006 grand final.
"I guess playing in the finals, winning a preliminary final against Fremantle and the qualifying final in Perth against West Coast, those have been my highlights for the Swans."
Richards picked up 17 disposals in the one-point loss to West Coast and was one of the Swans' better performers that day. "Just to be playing in a grand final that day is still a highlight," he said.
And just as his coach says he's seen an evolution in coaching styles, so too has Richards seen the game develop at ground level.
"When I started out, Brisbane were the dominating side with their big bodies and now … it seems to be sides like Geelong, with fluid, fast skilful footy.
"But I think the thing that's remained constant is you've got to win the football. Every team that's successful it comes down to the fact that if the ball's there to be won, it's won. And that'll always stay in football. There has been an evolution."
The mobile defender's maturity and confidence are the two parts of his game he says have improved since his debut six years ago. And he's seen what it takes to propel a career to the next level.
Richards names Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk, Craig Bolton and Barry Hall as perfect examples.
"It's no coincidence that the champions at both the clubs I've played at are the ones who train the hardest at the club and get the most out of it.
"You can get away with some things in under-18s football but in senior AFL footy you've really got to push to get the best out of yourself."
