Latest news with #EdRichards
Herald Sun
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Western Bulldogs defeat Melbourne in thriller to keep Finals hopes alive, AFL 2025 news
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Western Bulldogs have survived an almighty scare that could well have ended their finals aspirations, defeating a valiant Melbourne outfit by one goal on Sunday afternoon. In one of the games of the season, a six-goal spree from the Demons in the third quarter at one stage looked like leaving the Dogs' finals fate out of their hands — but Luke Beveridge's side rallied late to win 15.15 (105) to the Demons' 15.9 (99). FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Star Aaron Naughton starred up forward again with his fourth bag of five goals or more in six weeks, including a critical final quarter major to give his side a mini buffer. Forward-turned-defender Daniel Turner snagged a goal with 52 seconds remaining to give the Demons a live chance of drawing the match, but a Sam Darcy mark back-with-the-flight all but sealed their fate. 'No one deserves to lose this match,' 1988 Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said on Fox Footy inside the final minute. Laitham Vandermeer was concerningly taken from the ground after a heavy collision during the final quarter, leaving the Bulldogs vulnerable after already making their substitute before three-quarter time. Aaron Naughton was at his destructive best on Sunday. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) DOGS AVOID ULTIMATE FINALS HEARTBREAK AS 'ALL-AUSTRALIAN'-BOUND STAR LEADS CHARGE If there was one round the Bulldogs didn't want to come up against a side whose coach had been sacked, it was this one. The record of such club's immediately after a changing of the guard is stark, leaving Luke Beveridge's side in some ways up against it before the first bounce was even had. It was a tussle between both sides across the first half, but the Bulldogs looked content in registering five more shots on goal than their opponents to hold a 10-point lead at the main break. The supremely stunning season of Ed Richards headlined the match early, as the 26-year-old once again put his name forward for higher honours. The defender-turned-midfielder blew the game apart on Sunday afternoon, amassing 20 disposals, eight score involvements, six clearances and 92 ranking points all before half time. 'The bloke that's led the charge right from the word 'go' has been Ed Richards — who's got to be an All-Australian this year,' 1988 Brownlow Medal winner Gerard Healy said to Fox Footy at half time. Ed Richards has been in stunning form throughout the season. Picture: Michael Klein 'He's just been so clean. He had five clearances at quarter time … (and) absolutely makes the right decisions. 'He's turned himself (from) one of the best ground ball players in defensive 50, to one of the elite midfielders in the competition.' But after half time, Beveridge's Bulldogs were fronted with a wave of Melbourne's best free-flowing football — a brand that fans, and recently departed coach Simon Goodwin, have been crying out for most of this season. Incredibly, 21 of the match's 30 goals came after half time to speak to the change in style from both clubs. The Demons were able to force a 31-point turnaround in less than a quarter to turn the game — and the Dogs' finals hopes — on their head. But alas, the cool heads at Whitten Oval made sure their charge to September will last another week, with six final quarter goals enough to undo all of Melbourne's hard work. Veteran star Tom Liberatore finished the match with 24 disposals and 12 clearances, while skipper Marcus Bontempelli notched up 33 touches, seven inside 50s and 685 metres gained. 'PAYING DIVIDENDS': STAR'S WHITE-HOT RUN CONTINUES TO SEE DOGS HOME Jeremy Cameron has stolen the headlines this season up forward amid his race for 100 goals in a season, but the last six weeks was truly been all about Aaron Naughton. The Bulldogs key forward has gone berserk in the last six weeks, with his four-goal haul on Sunday afternoon taking his tally in the last six games to 29 — inclusive of three five-goal hauls and a career-best bag of seven. His meteoric rise in form coincides well with the return of Sam Darcy from injury, leaving Naughton playing on each side's second key defender; allowing him to expose the opposition both aerially and leading up at the ball carrier. 'I'm just trying to get to as many contest as possible (and) work really hard,' Naughton told Fox Footy straight after the final siren. 'The more that you get to the footy, the more that things can happen. I'm just happy with the way that I'm finishing in front of goal now, I'm really confident with my routine and it's paying dividends. 'I knew I put in the work, so I knew it (my form) was going to change eventually.' Three-time Geelong premiership player Tom Hawkins added on Naughton post-game: 'His willingness to get involved in the contest ... it's the work he does off the ball.' 'For any young forward out there listening, that is wonderful advice for anyone coming through the ranks. He was a star today.' DEES DEFENDER DEALT TOUGH TASK... BUT STILL SHOWS PROMISING SIGNS In an era where star key defenders have been few and far between at the top level, Melbourne debutant Jed Adams drew plenty of praise amid a daunting task. Adams, who is at the back end of his third year on the Demons' list, had to bide his time in the VFL with Casey for 51 games before getting an opportunity at the top level. The 21-year-old was forced to runt he gauntlet straight away, at times playing on Aaron Naughton who ran amuck for his fourth bag in six weeks. But in between opponents, Adams showed promise aerially and one-on-one to hint at the next generation for Melbourne beyond Jake Lever and Steven May. 'Hasn't he started well! He hasn't had a lot of ball himself … but he looks comfortable. He's a big unit and looks mobile,' Gerard Healy said of Adams at the start of the third term. Tom Hawkins added: 'I like the way that he's backed himself in. Early on, we saw a nice one-on-one contest that he halved … he's been really impressive.' Originally published as Maligned star's white-hot form continues as Dogs survive game of the season
Sydney Morning Herald
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bulldogs stay alive in AFL finals race after pulsating win over Demons
Western Bulldogs still have a finals pulse after rallying from a three-quarter-time deficit to stay within a game of the top eight – and prevent Melbourne from a winning start to the post-Simon Goodwin era. After fellow finals aspirants Fremantle completed their latest comeback against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs did the same to claim a six-point victory and keep alive their September hopes. Only Adelaide and Geelong boast a superior percentage to the Dogs, but they will likely need to win their last two matches, against West Coast then the Dockers, and rely on one of their rivals above them slipping in the next fortnight. They have some of their biggest stars to thank for this escape act in a thrilling contest. Ed Richards kicked two brilliant goals early in the fourth quarter to snatch back the lead both times for the Bulldogs and elevate his best-on-ground performance, but the Demons edged back in front with back-to-back goals to Harvey Langford and substitute Blake Howes. The Bulldogs' season was on the line at that stage – almost 20 minutes into the term – but Sam Darcy delivered a magnificent pass to fellow father-son draftee Rhylee West, whose checkside finish gave them the lead for good. But it was not the end of the drama. Loading Aaron Naughton's quick thinking to keep a Marcus Bontempelli shot in play that was going to be a behind led to him snapping his fifth goal and extending their buffer to 10 points, which grew to 12 points with consecutive behinds.
The Age
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Bulldogs stay alive in AFL finals race after pulsating win over Demons
Western Bulldogs still have a finals pulse after rallying from a three-quarter-time deficit to stay within a game of the top eight – and prevent Melbourne from a winning start to the post-Simon Goodwin era. After fellow finals aspirants Fremantle completed their latest comeback against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, Luke Beveridge's Bulldogs did the same to claim a six-point victory and keep alive their September hopes. Only Adelaide and Geelong boast a superior percentage to the Dogs, but they will likely need to win their last two matches, against West Coast then the Dockers, and rely on one of their rivals above them slipping in the next fortnight. They have some of their biggest stars to thank for this escape act in a thrilling contest. Ed Richards kicked two brilliant goals early in the fourth quarter to snatch back the lead both times for the Bulldogs and elevate his best-on-ground performance, but the Demons edged back in front with back-to-back goals to Harvey Langford and substitute Blake Howes. The Bulldogs' season was on the line at that stage – almost 20 minutes into the term – but Sam Darcy delivered a magnificent pass to fellow father-son draftee Rhylee West, whose checkside finish gave them the lead for good. But it was not the end of the drama. Loading Aaron Naughton's quick thinking to keep a Marcus Bontempelli shot in play that was going to be a behind led to him snapping his fifth goal and extending their buffer to 10 points, which grew to 12 points with consecutive behinds.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Can you spot the VERY rude message footy star is sending ahead of one of the most hotly anticipated games of the year?
Bulldogs midfielder Ed Richards has been spotted sending a subtle message towards his Geelong rivals ahead of one of the most hotly anticipated games of the year. Thursday night's showdown at GMHBA Stadium will be one for the ages, as Bailey Smith prepares to front up against his former Bulldogs teammates for the first time. The 24-year-old has created headlines all year with his dazzling on-field performances, combined with cheeky post-game interview - and social media - barbs towards his old club. The Bulldogs posted to social media about the spicy encounter on Wednesday, writing 'The battle of the household pets awaits' alongside photos of some of their stars. Fans were quick to notice that Richards had both middle fingers in the 'flipping the bird' position while he was holding the ball in one photo. 'Ed's grip on that ball is top tier, expert level trolling. Elite,' posted one Instagram follower. Another posted a laughing emoji while tagging in the midfielder. Smith's departure from Whitten Oval at the end of last season was far from smooth, but the tension went up a notch when the star midfielder took aim at the Bulldogs' second home ground. 'Beautiful mate. Not getting that at Ballarat,' Smith said when asked this month how it felt winning in front of a big crowd at the MCG. Beveridge has been asked about Smith in almost every press conference since those infamous remarks. On Wednesday, the 2016 premiership coach almost stopped himself, before going back at the Cats' crowd numbers. 'It's taken the Bulldogs to go down there for them to almost pack out their stadium,' Beveridge said with a grin. 'I don't know what that means for 'Baz' (Smith) ... I know what the headline is going to be now.' Smith has been in spectacular form, recently being installed as the second favourite for the Brownlow Medal, only behind Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge playfully suggested it has taken their trip to Kardinia Park for Geelong's home ground to be filled Adding extra drama into the mix, the cult hero trained away from the main group on Tuesday, sparking queries over his fitness. Geelong coach Chris Scott rubbished suggestions Smith could dodge the hyped meeting with the Bulldogs. 'For some players who don't like that kind of attention, it can be a challenge, but I think for others it's stimulating, and Bailey's certainly in that latter category,' Scott told reporters on Wednesday. 'We've got no intention of deflating the hype, but my sense is that there's a lot of goodwill from both sides. 'I'm pretty confident, in the small amount of time I've spent with him, that the hype and the combativeness is something that energises him. 'We do encourage our players to be themselves, and I'm more than happy for Bailey to take the limelight away from us.' Beveridge insisted the Bulldogs' build-up this week had been no different to any other, but admitted there was 'theatre attached to the game'. 'The emotional part of it's got to do with us and our journey and what we can achieve,' Beveridge said. 'The key individuals in the Geelong team obviously transcend Bailey. 'We don't go out of our way to antagonise and get under anyone's skin unnecessarily. 'There's obviously a combative aspect, and there's a verbal aspect of the game that exists every week, no matter who you play.' Like most of his career, Geelong's Mitch Duncan will, happily, fly under the radar, even as he becomes the seventh Cat to play 300 VFL/AFL games. 'Amazing names,' Duncan said of the teammates he has played with since debuting in 2010. 'I was putting together a best 22 the other day and I had to look at the names, it is hard to squeeze them all in.'
