Sydney premiership defender Ted Richards believes his brother can still make it back onto an AFL list in the future despite not having an AFL club to call home in 2017.
Xavier Richards played in Sydney's losing grand final against the Bulldogs before rejecting a contract offer from the Swans in a bid to return to Melbourne.
The move didn't pay off for Richards as no side went after him during the pre-season and rookie drafts, meaning the 23-year-old is currently without a club.
“It’s a really sad process for Xav,” Richards said on SEN.
“Xav made a decision that he wasn’t happy with the contract offer that he got from the Swans. He’s not the only one to ever do that, he tested the market and it didn’t work out well for him.
“A real credit to Xavier that he has played the cards that have been dealt to him. He’s got on with life and even though he might not be playing AFL this year, he’s very much head down, bum up onwards with things.”
Xavier will play for Sydney University in the NEAFL this season, although older brother Ted believes he might not be there for long if he puts in a strong campaign.
“He has had quite a few offers from different teams in different leagues around Australia.
“The offer that Sydney Uni put to him of not only playing football but at a really good level in the NEAF is a huge attraction to him, and to be able to do a Master’s (degree) at uni was a massive carrot for him to start some business study and get on with that side of his life.”
