Bailey Smith is Brownlow favourite - but is Ed Richards a better player?

Contributor
Kieran Francis
Bailey Smith is Brownlow favourite - but is Ed Richards a better player? image

When Bailey Smith was dominating in the Bulldogs midfield through 2021-2022, Ed Richards was a dependable utility player.

Richards could be deployed in a number of roles effectively, across the wing and flanks, but he appeared destined to be a solid role footballer in his career.

However, in a sliding doors moment, an ACL knee injury and subsequent departure to Geelong for Smith gave Richards the opportunity to be a full-time midfielder.

And since the back end of the 2024 season, Richards has become arguably the most damaging onballer in the game.

MORE: Why Ed Richards compares to Gary Ablett Jnr, Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield

The 25-year-old is finally starting to get recognition for his impact on games, with a bunch of key performance indicators supporting the praise.

Richards is currently no.1 in the AFL for goal assists per game (1.7), score involvements (8.8) and inside 50s (7.2).

It's indisputable evidence that shows Richards is the most effective player with the ball in the AFL and an All-Australian blazer beckons barring an almighty drop-off.

While Smith's move to Geelong opened up opportunity for Richards, the former has also excelled in his new environment at GMHBA Stadium.

Smith is no.1 in the AFL for disposals (32.3), uncontested possessions (20.25), metres gained (696.25) and is a respectable eighth in the competition for score involvements (7.42) and third for inside 50s (6.50).

With Smith's impact on the Geelong team and his possession dominance and metres gained success, the 24-year-old is outright Brownlow favourite.

But is Richards performing at a higher-level while Smith gets larger plaudits because he is high-profile?

Despite Smith's dominance through the midfield, he is no.1 in the AFL for turnovers per game (6.42) and when you compare this statistic with Richards' extraordinary ability to be damaging by foot, there is no doubt the current Bulldogs player is more effective.

It will be interesting to see how both players fare for the rest of the season, particularly as teams will likely put more effort into shutting down Richards in the coming weeks.

But right now, Richards is definitely the more effective player - no matter what the umpires and bookies say.