AFL clubs circle axed Swan Xavier Richards

AFL clubs are interested in picking up Xavier Richards as a delisted free agent, the axed Sydney forward’s management says.

Richards, the younger brother of recently retired Swans champion Ted, was shown the door on Thursday less than a month after playing in the club’s grand final loss to the Western Bulldogs.

He rejected a new two-year deal with Sydney at the start of the trade period this month, but a desired move to a rival club in his home state of Victoria was not forthcoming.

His manager Phil Mullen would not comment on whether his attempted exit had anything to do with his dumping, but confirmed he hoped to play on elsewhere.

“There’s been some interest, yes,” Mullen told AAP.

“We’re waiting for the (delisted free agency) trade period to start and we’ll go from there.”

The 23-year-old played 10 games for the minor premiers this year, impressing with 13 goals.

His first two years at the club were lean after being taken in the 2013 rookie draft, but he established himself in the Swans’ best 22 in the lead-up to finals.

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