While the lead up to last weekend’s game was all about the Gold Coast Suns’ improvement, Swans defender Ted Richards says this week’s opponent Port Adelaide’s development has impressed him even more.

The Power, who finished in 16th place just three seasons ago in 2011, have developed into one of the top sides in the competition and sit two games clear on top of the AFL ladder, with just one loss for the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday morning, Richards described the Power’s turnaround as “incredible”.

“It’s not a surprise for how well they’ve played this year,” Richards said.

“But if you were to go back a few years ago and to see where they were in relation to the rest of the competition, their rise has been incredible.

“It’s a real credit to Port how they’ve gone from near the bottom to the top heading into round 13.”

The Swans will host the Power this Saturday afternoon at the SCG in what Richards believes will be one of his side’s biggest tests for the season.

The 31-year-old said the Power’s pressure football has been outstanding this year, adding that the Swans would need to deliver for four quarters to claim victory over the ladder leaders.

“They produce possibly the best pressure in the competition, so that’s what we’re expecting,” Richards said.

“That’s part of the reason that we’ve been playing such good football this year, so we know we can play good pressure footy too.

“At round 13, first versus third at the SCG on Saturday, this is a good test for us and we never shy away from tests.”

The Swans will head into this weekend’s clash in strong form, with the side posting seven consecutive wins including a 35-point win over the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

While key tall Lance Franklin was cleared of any wrongdoing by the match review panel on Monday evening, the Swans could be without fellow forward Kurt Tippett who suffered a knee injury against the Suns.

Richards said he was confident the Swans could cover the loss of Tippett should he not be available, with the likes of Franklin, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid all strong forward options.

“He was a bit sore,” Richards said about Tippett.

“Those three guys (Franklin, Goodes and Reid) can really stretch a defence and there are not too many defences that have got three tall gun defenders who can match up on those three.

“If he’s in, great, but I’m sure we’ve got a guy who can come in to replace ‘Tippo’.”

Richards added that the team was happy with the way they were tracking after twelve rounds and would go into this week’s match with confidence.
“We had a really good win against Geelong and then going up against the Gold Coast, who are a top four team now,” he said.

“The last two weeks have been big tests for us against Geelong and Gold Coast, so to come out with wins is fantastic.”

“I think a lot of people are going to talk about ‘Tippo’ and whether he’s in or out, but we’re just approaching this as another test and hopefully we get a really big crowd there on Saturday afternoon.”