FASHION might be fickle, but Guy Richards is hoping that when it comes to draft day, ruckmen are still in vogue.

After the frenzy that was AFL trade week, where big men were courted, swapped and demanded, the former Collingwood ruckman is hoping the trend will continue later this month when the 16 clubs meet for the national draft.

After seven years with the Magpies, the 24-year-old was delisted last Wednesday as Collingwood set about finalising its list.

Richards had played in the final six games of the year, including the Magpies' three finals covering for an injured Josh Fraser, but was effectively on the outer once Collingwood gave the Brisbane Lions its first-round draft pick for 204-centimetre tall ruckman Cam Wood.

The rush for tall men gives Richards hope that he will find a new home come November 24.

"It does give me a little bit of confidence to know that a few clubs have been chasing ruckmen," he said.

Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda are all seen as teams still seeking ruckmen as they look to bolster their complement of tall players, and Richards is hoping a second chance will come his way, unable to contemplate the idea that his AFL career might end at just 24 with only 39 games.

Injuries have been cruel, with an Achilles injury souring 2006, and groin, knee and hip injuries also affecting the left-footer in previous seasons.

But Richards believes that after an injury-free season, his body is ripe for the trials of competition.

"I am 24 years of age. Being a ruckman, I think I have got my best years ahead of me. I think I have six to eight years where I could hopefully play senior footy. That would be good, but I do think that I have my best years ahead of me," he said.

"It would be a shame to go out of the game so early.

"Given an opportunity, I know that I can be a good player. I think I have shown that, (in) my last six games for Collingwood I got a little more game time in the middle when Josh went down, so that really helped me with my confidence and that, to prove to other clubs and to prove to myself that I really can do it.

"I am capable of doing it, it's just with a bit of opportunity and things going my way, I can be a very good player."

In less than two months, Richards' life has changed dramatically. Not that long ago, he was a kick away from a grand final, now he is looking for a new club. But September's lost opportunity keeps him motivated for another crack at the big time.

"We were so close. We were five points away from getting into a grand final and that has really spurred me on to give it another crack. I am really keen. If I get somewhere else, I will give it all I have got," he said.

Richards continues his summer training program with the help of flatmate and former teammate Dane Swan, doing three weight sessions a week and running daily.

While he admits it is difficult to walk away from the Magpies, he refuses to feel any bitterness.

"The clubs work as a business these days and I respect the decision that Collingwood has made. The club has been really good to me; I just have to take it on the chin," he said.

"I was there for seven years and the club helped me out a lot.

"I haven't got a bad word to say about the club. I made good mates over the years, with the physios and the docs and the training staff and all the coaches. I suppose it's part of life."