Xavier Richards will be playing for Sydney in 2017 after all. Sydney University, that is.
The former Swan, who played for Sydney in last year's AFL grand final loss to the Western Bulldogs, turned down a two-year contract offer from the NSW club and sought a trade to Victoria.
Instead, Richards was delisted after attracting limited interest from Victorian clubs in the trade period and, despite a stint training at Essendon, wasn't picked up as a delisted free agent, or as a mature-age rookie, leaving him without an AFL club for 2017.
The 23-year-old has signed on with Sydney University and will play in the NEAFL. The club's coach, Tom Morrison, said it was a massive boost to secure a high-quality talent.
"It's exciting for the club, and it's a good sign for our NEAFL program that he was willing to sign with us," he said.
"He obviously had a lot of other clubs from all over the country, in particular from Melbourne, chasing his signature. It's a bit of a feather in the cap for our program."
Recruited by the Swans in the 2013 rookie draft, Richards played 12 games in four years with the club. He kicked three goals in the 2016 finals, but was underwhelming in the final with 10 disposals.
Richards also played a handful of games with his brother Ted, who retired from the AFL last year.
Since allowing Richards to depart the Swans have had a productive off-season, signing midfield stars Josh Kennedy and Isaac Heeney to long-term deals and electing the former as the club's new captain.
The NEAFL is comprised of Sydney University, Swans reserves, GWS Giants reserves, Gold Coast Suns reserves, Brisbane Lions reserves and other clubs from Queensland, Northern Territory and the ACT.
With James Buckley