SYDNEY Swans veteran Ted Richards has vowed to return to the senior team after being dropped ahead of his side's six-point win over Carlton last Saturday.

The Swans premiership player has had an interrupted season following a significant concussion suffered against Hawthorn in May, an injury that led him to contemplate retirement.

But after losing his place in the team, the 33-year-old was defiant that he would prove his worth ahead of finals.

"I want to work my way back into this team and be part of something big this year," Richards told RSN 927.

"'Horse' (coach John Longmire) and I have got a really good relationship and it was on the Tuesday (before the Carlton game) that we first had the chat.

"Once it was confirmed that I wasn't playing, I had a chat to Horse and I said, 'Listen, I understand the situation the team's in and the one I'm in,' and I just wanted to confirm with him that I'm up for the challenge the next two months presents."

Richards understood the position he was in, with the defender forced to move forward following the emergence of Allir Allir in the back line.

Richards said he would be aiming for a place in defence because that's where he plays his best footy.

"He (Longmire) let me know that he was looking at a lot of different options, and to be fair Isaac Heeney and my younger brother Xavier dominated in the reserves, so there was likely to be a couple of changes," Richards said.

"I knew it was a chance of happening and then I got confirmation in the Thursday morning meeting."

Richards has played eight matches this season and 261 games in total.

The third-placed Swans travel to Perth to take on Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday.