You could have just imagined the drama in the SCG coaches' box.

John Longmire and co rise as one as Xavier Richards gathers the loose footy on the outer wing and dodges an opponent all in one swift motion.

Off the No. 45 galloped, like a favourite in the Melbourne Cup.

In for only his third game of AFL football and with two goals to his name, Richards put the after burners on with only Carlton's Blaine Boekhorst in pursuit.

"Go son, go, go...," rings out from the coaches' box. Henry Playfair and Brett Kirk join the chorus, the men who've overseen Richards' transition from defence to the forward line season.

One bounce, two bounces, three bounces... the crowd lifts as 'X' nears the 50m arc.

The eyes dart up, down and around. The forward line is open, there are only a few players ahead of him which suddenly makes his next move all the more difficult.

Does Richards keep going and have a shot at what would have been one serious Goal of the Year contender, or does he do the unselfish thing and look for a target?

Confusion reigned, hesitation prevailed and Richards was stopped in his tracks.

Whistle. "Holding the ball," declares the umpire.

A passage of excitement ends in agony.

"What was going through your head?" 'X' was asked post-match, that familiar cheeky Richards grin appears.

"I wasn't really looking to have a shot, I was looking to hit up Gaz (Gary Rohan) or Bud (Lance Franklin)," he replied.

"I've copped a bit of crap from just about everyone in the team.

"(Definitely) a learning experience."