Western Bulldogs midfielder Ed Richards is on pace to potentially break the record for most goal assists recorded in a single AFL season.
Prior to his current season, Richards had amassed 61 goal assists, with his 2025 tally set to surpass his career-high season haul of 16 set last year as early as this weekend.
Richards' season started with four goal assists in the Dogs' Round 1 win over North Melbourne, with a further seven coming in a three-game run from Rounds 4-6.
He added another three to his tally last weekend against the Suns to bring his total to 15 for the year, three more than the next highest in Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage and Adelaide recruit James Peatling.
The record for most goal assists in a single season is held by former Brisbane livewire Jason Akermanis, who recorded 44 assists 21 years ago.
On the Lions' run to a fourth successive grand final finish, Akermanis managed 17 more assists than any other player in the AFL, with Brisbane's deep season run helping his total.
Geelong premiership forward Gryan Miers came close to that record in 2023, managing 41 goal assists from 23 games, with the Cats' finals-less campaign confirming Miers would fall short of Akermanis' total.
It could mean Richards and the Dogs may need to make a strong September push for the Bulldogs ace to potentially surpass Akermanis, who had a staggering 18 goal assists after his first nine games of the year.
Akermanis came home strong in 2004 - the second year goal assists were recorded - recording at least one goal assist in his last seven matches of the year, including six against North Melbourne in the Lions' final game of the home and away season. He would also record three assists the following week in Brisbane's qualifying final win over Geelong.
What also helped Akermanis was his aerobic capacity, having managed to play 100% game time in nine games that year, while only going under 90% five times.
The Bulldogs of 2025 look favoured to make the finals this year, with any September showing adding to a 23-game home and away campaign should Richards see out a full season in the red, white and blue.
As well as leading the AFL in goal assists this year, Richards also ranks No.1 in the competition for inside 50s and score involvements, and also sits fourth for metres gained.
Teammate and captain Marcus Bontempelli has amassed six goal assists in his four games this year, with his average of 1.5 per game second to Richards' 1.7 among AFL players who have featured in at least a quartet of matches this year.
The aforementioned McClugagge has been a renowned goal assists player, leading the league with 31 in 2021 and only trailing Miers in 2023.
McCluggage has 146 goal assists to his name over his career, 57 fewer than Bomtempelli, while veterans Scott Pendlebury (305), Patrick Dangerfield (247), Luke Bruest (242) and Travis Boak (241) lead the way among current players.
Adelaide and Carlton great Eddie Betts has the all-time goal assists record with 318 from his 350-game career, while three-time premiership ex-Cat Steve Johnson has the most in a single game with 10.
