TWO OF the AFL's great survivors will likely square off for the final time on Saturday when Jonathan Brown and Ted Richards go head-to-head at the Gabba.
Brown has been turning out for the Brisbane Lions since 2000, surviving a number of serious injuries to notch up his 250th game against Richmond two weeks ago.
Richards made his debut with Essendon in 2002, making 33 appearances in four years at Windy Hill before switching to the Sydney Swans.
Used predominantly as a forward in his early years, Richards was later switched to defence, and has since engaged in some epic battles with the big Brisbane spearhead.
Between them they boast four premierships, three All Australian jumpers and 463 AFL games, but the regard in which both are held goes further than stats or awards.
Universally respected for their courage and longevity, the pair has met 12 times on the field, and will do so once more on Saturday in the only clash between the sides this season.
"There's a fair chance," Richards told reporters on Thursday. "That's what history says.
"We've played on each other a fair bit over the years … and I'm fully aware what he's capable of and how important he is to their team."
Having contemplated retirement at the end of last season, Brown has faced some question marks this year about whether he still has something to offer.
The 32-year-old picked up just four touches and didn't have a shot on goal in a round three loss to Gold Coast, but his production has improved markedly over the past fortnight.
In games against Richmond and St Kilda, Brown produced 30 possessions, 11 marks and kicked 6.1.
Overall he's kicked 13 goals from six games this season, one more goal than Lance Franklin, and you won't hear Richards making any judgements about Brown's ability to still make an impact.
"Any talk like that, it's not something that I think," he said.
"I know (Jed) Adcock's their captain, but (Brown's) still important to that team on and off the field, and he's by far their No.1 go-to player inside forward 50.
"Six games in, against pretty tough opposition, he's still kicking goals."
Brisbane has already faced Hawthorn, Geelong and Port Adelaide – the top three sides on the AFL ladder – over the first six rounds.
The bottom-placed Lions chalked up their first win last week, knocking off the Saints in New Zealand.
The Swans also endured a difficult start to the year, picking up just one victory from their opening four games before winning their past two against Fremantle and Melbourne.
An All Australian in 2012, Richards was asked to assess his own form so far.
"Probably just like the team, a bit inconsistent," the 31-year-old said.
"I think I've played some good football at times, and then there's been some contests I wish I could get back.
"I had a pretty good duel with (Freo skipper Matthew) Pavlich two weeks ago, but that's my role, to play on the key forward every week."
Ahead of the Swans' team selection, Richards is hopeful Adam Goodes will start in Brisbane following his cameo appearance as a substitute last weekend.
Franklin also did very little training on Thursday before the media was turned away, although he is expected to play.
Franklin has barely trained in recent weeks as he is managed through a minor knee issue, and Richards was quizzed whether that has helped the defender survive training sessions this year.
"To be honest, I normally play on the younger guys and one of the other young guys can play on 'Buddy'," Richards said with a grin.
"With my experience, I've worked out the best way to get through training sessions, and that's to play on the younger guys."
