RICHARDS, Ted

Ted Richards was drafted by Essendon with pick 27 in the 2000 National Draft, a selection they had gained by trading Michael Prior to the West Coast Eagles. He made his debut in 2002 and managed two games for the season.

He earned a Rising Star Nomination in 2003, the first at the Club for some time. He played 10 games for the year, often working hard in the forward line in the absence of the injured Matthew Lloyd.

Richards played 11 senior games for the Club in 2004 and kicked seven goals.

In his 10 games in 2005 Richards acquitted himself well in a variety of positions but was frustrated with the lack of opportunity and asked to leave the Club. He was runner-up in the Bendigo Bombers Best and Fairest award in 2005 after finishing third in 2004. He also won the VFL Trainers and Staff Best Clubman both years.

He was traded to Sydney for picks 19 and 51 which Essendon used to draft Courtenay Dempsey and Sam Lonergan. It was a great career move for him as he played in a Grand Final in his first season there and went on to play 228 games, including a second premiership in 2012.

He retired at the end of the 2016 season. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Applied Finance, he established a career in finance, running a successful podcast, "The Richards Report".