Defender Ted Richards said there is no secret to the Swans’ defensive success this season.

After 20 games, the Swans boast the most miserly defence in the competition, having conceded 202 goals so far this season, more than 20 goals less than the second best defensive team in the competition (Fremantle 227 goals).

Speaking after recovery at North Bondi this morning, Richards said the Swans defensive success was simply the result of team work and a lot of hard work.

“The back six have been really rock solid and haven’t changed much,” Richards said.

“We’ve got a tight back six … and we’ve got a really good trust in each other and it’s great when we’re really vocal and talking to each other, but at the same time because we’ve been playing alongside each other so much we know how each other plays.

“When the high ball comes in we know we’ve got people who will come across to support each other.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s clash with Hawthorn, Richards is the likely candidate to play on Hawks star forward Lance Franklin.

Richards was successful in his last attempt against the high-flying Hawk, keeping Buddy to just three behinds in the Swans 37-point win in Tasmania in round five.

Despite the team’s most recent success against the Hawks, Richards the entire Swans defence will need to build on their efforts against a much-improved Hawthorn side this week, rather than focusing on just one player.

“We’ll have a look at what we did that day because it definitely worked, but at the same time I think they are a team that have really improved over the last few months, so they might have changed a bit too,” he said.

“There are a lot of other guys (than Franklin) that can kick bags of goals, and just off the top of my head I can remember Jordan Lewis kicking a big bag this year and Jarryd Roughead and plenty of other guys who can.

“It’s not just about focusing on one player as defenders, we’re going to be looking at their six forwards and I’d imagine the mids would be working hard to make sure (Hawthorn) get no goals from stoppages.

“We know that we always have to be on our game and this week Reg and myself, Nick Malceski, Marty Mattner, Alex Johnson and Nick Smith will all have our individual one-on-one opponent but at the same time, we’re all aware that we’ve got to help each other out to beat their six forwards.”

With the Swans one game clear in top spot with two games remaining, Richards said there was no doubt the final two rounds could place the team well for this year’s finals’ series.

Richards added that in particular, a win over the Hawks this weekend - who currently hold second place - could be opportune.

“It’s one versus two and there are two games to go, so there is a fair bit up for stakes,” Richards said.

“The challenge is there over the next two weeks with two really good quality teams.

“I think there is an opportunity there to kind of launch into the finals with some really big wins and to get some confidence from those.

“Right now we’re just focusing in on Hawthorn but we are aware of the opportunity that’s there.”