SYDNEY SWANS defender Ted Richards is confident his side will rebound to become a finals force once again in 2009.

Richards, speaking at Forresters Hotel in Surry Hills as the Sydney Swans players gathered after exiting the finals race last Friday, also weighed into the debate on the future of gun West Coast Eagles onballer Daniel Kerr, saying the 2006 premiership star "would be a sensational player" at the Swans.

Richards, who played in every Swans game this season, believes that the club doesn’t need to make any drastic changes to its playing list.

“People didn’t think we were going to make the finals in the first place, and we did," Richards said.

"We've got a lot of young guys coming through like Paddy Veszpremi, Kieren Jack and Jarred Moore, who have had great years. Craig Bird was also very unlucky not to get a Rising Star nomination.

“So far, both Ben Mathews and 'Spida' Everitt have both retired. I guess that gap needs to be filled, and hopefully that will come from the youth.”

Veszpremi, Jack, Moore and Bird all had an impact this season, while young ruckman Daniel Currie, big forward Jesse White and midfielders Nick Smith and Ryan Brabazon, all part of the grand final-winning Swans' reserves side, will all look to step up to AFL level regularly in 2009.

While keen for the Swans to develop their list from within, Richards admitted that Kerr would be a valuable addition to the club.

“He is a sensational player,” Richards said.

“Personally, I would like to have him on my side. I am not sure what the other boys think, but that is my opinion.”

While recognising the need for an injection of youth, Richards believed that veterans like 31-year-old Leo Barry were still vital to the ongoing success of the side and should play again next year.

“Against the Kangaroos last week, he was the one that sparked us up,” Richards said of Barry.

"It was in the first quarter and they were starting to pull away, and he was the one kept us in the game. We need his experience and leadership.”