2018–2023: Early years and development Richards debuted in round 2, 2018, and went on to play 21 games that season. His Round 10 performance earned him a
Rising Star nomination. By 2022, Richards had cemented his place in the Bulldogs' first team and in 2023 he signed a contract extension tying him to the club until at least the end of 2025.
2024: Transition to midfield Ahead of the 2024 season, Richards began transitioning from half-back into the midfield, a move initiated by the Bulldogs' coaching staff to exploit his ball use, speed and decision-making in contested situations. During that season he averaged over 21 disposals.
2025: Breakout season The 2025 season proved to be Ed Richards' breakout campaign. He delivered career-best numbers including 25.8 disposals, 10.9 contested possessions, 5.7 clearances, 6.4 inside-50s, and 8.3 score involvements per game across 23 appearances. His consistency, impact and influence on games saw him awarded the club’s highest honour, the
Charles Sutton Medal, by polling 299 votes, narrowly ahead of long-time teammate and skipper
Marcus Bontempelli. His form earned him selection in the
All-Australian team for the first time. According to
Champion Data, he ranked as the second-best player in the league in 2025, and they even floated the idea of Richards joining their "Immortal" list, an elite group that includes legendary footballers such as
Gary Ablett Jr.,
Patrick Dangerfield and
Dustin Martin. ==Honours & Achievements==