Joe Richards is relishing his new opportunity in the Port Adelaide midfield, playing almost exclusively in a new role over the past two games. 

Providing speed and agility in the absence of injured captain Connor Rozee and utility Miles Bergman, Richards has been enjoying the challenge. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Wednesday, Richards spoke on how he’s enjoying the on-field change, dealing with close losses, and taking on his old club in Collingwood this weekend. 

Richards on his new role in the midfield 
“Yeah, it's been good. Had a couple weeks now, so obviously just learning week to week, and I think the decision to play in the midfield is probably just a week to week one. At the moment I think I went in there to give the other mids a bit of a chop out. Obviously, Connor’s out, he's out the rest of the year, so they've shouldered the load a little bit in there, and I'll just pinch hit when I can. 

“Josh (Carr) and Stuart Dew as well (came to me about it). I've spent a little bit of time in there the previous few weeks, and yeah, last week and the week before, I guess I just played more and more. So I’ve started in there the last couple of weeks and I’m really enjoying it.” 

Richards on previous midfield experience  
“I played a little bit of local and probably played midfield for five or so years there, so it's not foreign, but it's also a different breed at AFL level. So, just trying to get used to at the moment, and as I said, it's not foreign, but also at AFL level, it's obviously different.  

It’s probably just a lot more physical than at half forward, hitting a lot more bodies, and probably making more decisions in midfield than what you are at half forward, so I guess it’s just adjusting to that, and you have to be switched on as well.” 

Richards on the toll on his body 
“Yeah, potentially (it takes more of a toll). I think we've got 10 rounds left, so see what that looks like but I'm not sure, it might start to add up, it might not. As I said, you run a lot more at half forward, so I'm less sore in the legs and probably more sore overall. So, we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.” 

Richards on what he adds to the midfield 
“I’m certainly not the bigger type. I don't like to body up a lot, so yeah, maybe a little bit more pace in there, and a little bit of agility, I guess. We've got Zak in there, and Hornet who are both really good at that. So yeah, just trying to add to them and bring what I can.” 

Richards on taking on Collingwood this weekend 
“I’m not sure what the plan is exactly yet (for Nick Daicos), but he's obviously had a really good year, so yeah, we'll look to probably do something. I only played them once last year, and that didn't go too well. So hopefully we're a bit better prepared this time, and hopefully can turn that around.” 

Richards on not suffering heavy losses this year 
“It does feel like that, especially because it's been shown this year we can match it with good teams, we just can't quite get over the line. So, I think last year we had a little bit of that, getting blown out of the water by good teams away, but yeah, this year we seem to be holding on and doing a lot better, so hopefully we can turn it around and get a good win away this week.” 

Richards on close games  
“It’s a good question. There's been different scenarios, like we've been up by a little bit, and then get run over the top of, or it goes the other way, and we just can't seem to find a way to kick an extra goal. So, yeah, I think it's just what happens in AFL footy - every team's trying to win. So, I think it's just that the result. 

“I think it's happened five times now, so we’ve spoken about it a fair bit. I think one thing we can work on is our starts in a few of those games. I think we've started a little bit poor and we’re down by a few goals at quarter time, so yeah, if we can start well and maintain the lead then hopefully we can hold them.” 

Richards on being a young, inexperienced team 
“I think it has a little bit of an effect (on results). I think we had six guys under 20 on the weekend, so whether it's down to that, or we could play better footy in the first three quarters and win by a couple of goals. It may be a little bit down to that, but I don't think that's the exact reason.” 

Richards on playing at the MCG 
“Yeah, it's always enjoyable playing there, they get a good Collingwood crowd as well, they always rock up. We’ve got out backs against the wall a little bit, but as I said before, we’ll look to get there and get a good start, and hopefully we can match it with them. 

“The fans were fine (last time) from memory. You sort of block out the crowd anyway, focus on your teammates and what you need to do out there on the ground. So yeah, it didn't have a big effect last time.” 

Richards on getting close to taking another big scalp 
“Yeah, we do feel like we're close. We felt that last week as well, and we were close. So we’ve just got to get on the right side of the ledger now, and hopefully, and kick an extra goal and win by a few points, which would be nice.” 

Richards on goal kicking 
“It has been a little bit of a focus. At training we've probably trained a little bit more than what we have in the past, and yeah, hopefully we can see a little bit of that coming out on the weekends, and start to kick a few more goals. I think the live play (goals) haven't been our go this year. Set shots have been okay, I think, but yeah, a little bit more live play, it'd be nice to kick a few more of them.”