SYDNEY Swans defender Ted Richards says his 200th game for the club will be more special this weekend given the importance of the clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Richards managed just 33 games in five seasons at Essendon before making a move to the Swans for the 2006 season.
He's been a mainstay in the Swans defence ever since and was a 2012 All Australian and premiership player.
Both sides are expected to be top four contenders in 2015, and Richards said the Power supporters would help make it a memorable occasion.
"I think it's one of the most exciting venues to play at, the atmosphere that Port fans create in that stadium is one of the best," Richards said.
"It's one of the loudest stadiums in Australia."
Port Adelaide on its home deck is a daunting task for any side, but the Swans head to Adelaide Oval with confidence after beating the Power at home last season.
In round 20, in front of more than 50,000 fans, the Swans kicked ten goals to five after quarter-time to win by 26 points.
"I find it incredibly exciting that whole spectacle. It's a real privilege to play there," Richards said.
"I think there’s two different ways you can go, you can either be a bit put off or you can feed off that energy. We really embrace that and the fact we're playing in front of that crowd is something we look forward to.
"We get to test ourselves against a good team on a big day and it's something we relish."
Last week's opening round escape against Essendon wasn't an ideal start to the season, but the way the Swans won has given them confidence ahead of the Port clash.
Richards said another lacklustre performance wouldn’t cut it against the Power, and the defender is impressed with this weekend's opponents.
"We get a bit out of it in the fact that we know we can win from that situation, but equally, we've seen how Port play, and we need to put it to another level," Richards said.
"Their ability to keep playing high pressure football was really outstanding. I was really impressed with their ability to play almost finals-like footy in round one.
The 32-year-old is among a long list of players given a second chance at AFL level by the Swans, and this week's milestone is one he never thought possible.
"It's been a real rollercoaster. Fortunately enough over the past four or five years I've been able to play consistent footy," Richards said.
"I think guys come here and are given the opportunity to play a role for the team.
"When I first came to the club Craig Bolton was my mentor, and I was very fortunate to come to a new team and be working so closely with someone I looked up to.
"That’s just part of the culture of the club here, and that’s something that is going to continue on in the future."
These days, Richards is one of the League's most reliable defenders, but he hasn’t forgotten the dark days.
"I remember playing on Jonathan Brown when Brisbane were up and going, 10 or 12 years ago and he was on fire,' Richards recalled.
No doubt the game etched in Richards' mind would be round six, 2005, when a rampaging Brown – in his first game back after serving a five-week suspension he received from the 2004 Grand Final - had 20 disposals, took 14 marks and kicked eight goals.
"The nature of my role is that every team has a gun forward and my job is to stop them,” Richards said.
“It's a tough job at times," Richards said.
