Swans defender Ted Richards believes Dan Hannebery’s stellar season is just reward for one of the hardest workers at the football club.

Hannebery was again among the Swans best following Friday night’s win over Carlton at the SCG.

Hannebery collected 25 disposals against the Blues, marginally quieter compared to his lofty 2015 standards where the on-baller has averaged 30 touches a game, but still an important piece in the Swans’ big win.

Along with his possession count Hannebery finished with eight tackles, complied seven inside 50s and kicked two goals.

Speaking to Melbourne radio, Richards believes it was only a matter a time before Hannebery’s football reached new heights as shown over the first nine rounds of the season.

“I’d like to say he has made a statement this pre-season and taken his football to another level,” Richards told SEN’s Crunch Time.

“But he has always been one of the best trainers and one of the most mature players at the club, his pre-season was not much different to pre-seasons gone by.

“Just his resilience to back up each week has been a standout.”

Hannebery’s strong pre-season was well publicised ahead of the home and away season with this year’s stats proving the hard work is paying dividends closing in on the halfway point of the season.