Swans star considered retirement

Premiership defender Ted Richards says he considered retiring after his latest heavy concussion earlier this season.

Richards has not played since he suffered a serious concussion in Round 9 this season. His head hit the ground after a marking contest and later failed a concussion test and was ruled out for the rest of the match.

He then experienced concussion symptoms for the two weeks following the incident, prompting the 33-year-old to consider retirement.

“I did entertain the thought there for a while (retirement),” Richards told radio station RSN.

“That was a question that I put to the specialist. I was aware that I have had a few (concussions) and not knowing a lot about concussion, I can understand if you break a bone, you have a scan and you can see the results. With concussions, it’s all new and to a certain extent it is a bit unknown."

However, Richards said he was given the all clear to continue his career, however, not before a significant break on the sidelines.

“He said he was all good with me to keep playing, and that was a huge relief to get that news.

“I won’t lie - it did rattle me a bit early (on), given it’s the first concussion where I’ve had symptoms and they did linger for about two weeks.

“That did rattle me. I’ve heard stories of other players with symptoms that last for months. I know that if that was to be the situation, with the age that I am, then I possibly may have played my last game.

“Another thing that probably didn’t help the situation is I wasn’t allowed to do any training, so it was just sitting at home by myself and stewing on these things.

“I was also advised that it could be a conservative option to play with a helmet now, so I’ll finish the year with a helmet on."

Richards has played 226 games with the Swans, including the 2012 premiership, since being traded from Essendon at the end of the 2005 season.