SYDNEY Swans veteran Ted Richards has been ruled out for at least two weeks after having surgery on Monday to repair a fractured eye socket.
The 33-year-old suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Swans' 39-point win over West Coast at the SCG last Saturday.
Despite the wound, the experienced defender played out the game and was awarded best-on-ground honours.
Richards finished with 22 possessions and took 10 marks against the Eagles, using his 257 games' experience to great effect to set up from defence.
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He even kicked a second-quarter goal from outside 50m – just his 33rd career goal – and latched onto a hanger in the final term to cap his afternoon.
After the game, Swans coach John Longmire took a light-hearted look at Richards' performance.
"He played pretty well, he took a good mark and kicked a ripping goal but geez he got carried away," Longmire said with a laugh.
"I guess he doesn't kick many so I'll leave him with that one.
"He was good today (with a game-high) six contested marks and he was a bit quiet last week, so he's really pleased with how he went."
Richards won the HMAS Sydney Medal for his best-afield display against the Eagles.