Only Ed Richards knows what was going through his mind as he ran out to face Collingwood on Friday night, a club that the Richards’ name is synonymous with, and in just his ninth game of football.

Richards’ story and family connections are by now well known.  The 18-year-old’s grandfather was Ron Richards and his great uncle was former Magpie skipper, Lou Richards.

But if he was overawed by the occasion, you couldn’t tell, as he quietly went about amassing a career-high 23 disposals, took four marks, laid for tackles and added five inside 50s.

Captain Easton Wood was full of praise for the lightly built defender when he spoke to Channel 7 post-match.

“He’s got some really great attributes (and) he’s lightning fast,” Wood said.

“The way that he backs himself now… he’s got a really good balance to his game, whether it’s running or using that speed to close down defensive plays with tackling and aerial contests. 

“I’m glad he’s on our side.”

Richards was drafted with the sixteenth pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft and his averaging 14 disposals, three marks and three tackles in his debut season.