Swans defender Ted Richards still can’t believe he could be lining up alongside his little brother in the NAB Cup this weekend.

While Ted had no doubts about his brother Xavier’s potential, the 30-year-old fullback said he always believed something would get in the way of the pair playing for the same team.

“He’s 19 and we’ve been living with each other for about three or four months and playing together is something I really never thought would happen,” Ted said.

“It was something we both wanted but we just knew that so much hard work would have to be done before we got anywhere near there.

“There was also so much luck because there are 17 other teams in the competition, so it was more likely that I was going to be playing against him rather than with him.”

It’s been more than a decade since the Richards’ brothers lived under one roof, with Ted leaving the family home when Xavier was just eight years of age.

Now Xavier is all grown up, Ted said the dynamics at home have changed quite a bit since they last lived together.

“When I was living at home I was 17, and he was six, so I ruled the house,” he said.

“Now he’s a bit bigger and a bit stronger, so when we have an argument he bites back a bit.

“We’re in an apartment together, and it’s good because I moved out of home when I was 19, so he was eight or nine at the time, so to be living together is really great.”

On field, Ted said there are similarities between he and his brother, but admits Xavier has the wood on him in a couple of areas.

“I guess he is pretty similar to me and he’s a little bit taller and a little bit quicker, so he’s got a couple of attributes over me there,” he said.

“I’ve seen that firsthand this pre-season and he reminds me too!”

With Xavier on a one-year rookie contract with the Swans, Ted said he is doing what he can to help his brother make the transition he needs to earn a place on the Swans’ main list.

He said a chance to show his potential in Sunday’s NAB Cup would be a step in the right direction for Xavier.

“He’s on the rookie list so he’s got the one year contract and I’m just trying to help him through it,” he said.

“To his credit he’s been a real professional in the three months that he’s been here so he’s going really well and he knows what this NAB Cup opportunity is.”