Dogs B&F: Richards salutes; key forward in top 4

Ed Richards has won his first Charles Sutton Medal as the Western Bulldogs best and fairest for 2025.

The 26-year-old capped a career-best year by adding the Dogs B&F to his maiden All-Australian blazer.

Richards polled 299 votes to beat six-time winner and club captain Marcus Bontempelli on 286. It was the 11th time ‘The Bont’ has finished in the top four in his 12 seasons in the red, white and blue.

The victory for Richards comes after he finished fifth last year and third in 2023.

Past winner Tom Liberatore (279) finished third while key forward Aaron Naughton (252) produced a career-best finish of fourth ahead of All-Australian Bailey Dale (228) in fifth.

Other award winners on the night included Sam Davidson who win the Chris Grant Best First Year Player, while Rhylee West was named the Tony Liberatore Most Improved, Sam Darcy won the Scott West Most Courageous Award and Rory Lobb was named the Brad Johnson Best Team Player.

Charles Sutton Medal - 2025

1 - Ed Richards (299 votes)
2 - Marcus Bontempelli (286)
3 - Tom Liberatore (279)
4 - Aaron Naughton (252)
5 - Bailey Dale (228)
6 - Matthew Kennedy (227)
7 - Sam Darcy (222)
8 - Rory Lobb (212)
9 - Joel Freijah (192)
10 - Rhylee West (189)

Other awards:

Chris Grant Best First Year Player: Sam Davidson
Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player: Rhylee West
Brad Johnson Best Team Player: Rory Lobb
John Van Groningen Trackers & Guides Award: Marcus Bontempelli
Scott West Most Courageous Award: Sam Darcy
Locker Group Coaches Award: Joel Freijah
John Schultz Community Award: Tom Liberatore
Bruce Wilkinson Trainers Award: Ed Richards
Simon Beasley Score Impact Award: Aaron Naughton