Ed Richards' 2025 season hasn't been spoken about enough.

The Western Bulldog has emerged as one of the competition's most damaging and elite players, assisted by his new permanent role in the midfield.

But just how good a year is Richards having?

From a statistical standpoint, the 25-year-old is currently in rare air among three of the best players this century.

Gary Ablett Jr., Patrick Dangerfield. Dustin Martin.

The trio of stars collected every individual and team award during their illustrious careers, while Dangerfield is currently searching for more.

So, where does Richards fit into this conversation?

Year Player Player Ratings Games
2012 Gary Ablett Jr. 21.37 20
2013 Gary Ablett Jr. 20.09 21
2014 Gary Ablett Jr. 22.21 15
2015 Gary Ablett Jr.* 20.2* 6*
2016 Patrick Dangerfield 20.5 26
2017 Dustin Martin 20.86 25
Patrick Dangerfield 20.09 24
2025* Ed Richards* 20.12* 13*

 

According toย WheeloRatings, since the introduction of GWS in 2012, Ablett, Dangerfield and Martin have averaged 20 or more player ratings points for an entire season.

Ablett's time at Gold Coast may not have yielded many on-field results, but his heroics were on show during the expansion club's early years.

The father-son gun recorded 21.37 ratings points in 2012. Essendon's Jobe Watson, who was initially handed the Brownlow Medal, logged 18.33. Eventual winners Trent Cotchin (15.72) and Sam Mitchell (16.38) were further behind.

Ablett repeated the same feat in 2013, with stats revealing an average rating of 20.09. He also claimed his second Brownlow Medal in a side that won eight games.

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GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Gary Ablett of the Suns (R) speaks to Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats after their defeat during the round six AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at Simonds Stadium on April 30, 2016 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The little master recorded a third consecutive season of 20+ player ratings, but a season-defining shoulder injury limited his output to 15 matches, which, in spite of, almost yielded a third 'Charlie'.

Ablett's reign continued into 2015, but he was struck from the records on the basis that he only played six games for the year.

Crossing from Adelaide to Geelong catapulted Dangerfield's rise to football immortality after a maiden season in the blue and white hoops placed him among the champions of the game.

The speedy midfielder claimed the Brownlow Medal, among other individual accolades, including joining the distinguished club of 20+ player rating points for the year.

Dangerfield mimicked that achievement in 2017, and notwithstanding a suspension during the year, could've held multiple 'Charlies'.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Dustin Martin of the Tigers (R) celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos via Getty Images )

However, it was Martin and his Tigers who stole the show that season, with the forward-midfielder producing one of the best individual campaigns to date, whilst also joining Danger and the little master in the club.

Since 2017,ย WheeloRatings hasn't witnessed a player reach the same heights as Ablett, Dangerfield or Martin.

But Richards, who is hard to miss with his dashing dare, red hair and precision kicking, is on track to join them.

As it stands (heading into Round 15), the Bulldog currently sits on 20.12 player rating points from his 13 matches.

Even if Richards isn't currently prioritising it, the rating undeniably reflects his impressive performance and emphasises that he truly merits more recognition.