Ed Richards says he is expecting to remain in the midfield in 2025, as he looks to build on his breakout campaign this pre-season.

Richards moved from a customary half-back role to the middle early in the 2024 AFL season, initially on a needs-basis for the injured Tom Liberatore.

He said while it had its challenges, he was excited for the opportunity to grow his game.

"It was good fun…it was basically off the back of Libba going down early in the year with a few concussion things, so he had a bit of an extended stint on the sidelines,” Richards said.

“It was sort of on Bevo and Ladey to bring me into the midfield to see if I could create a bit of run and drive – things that I’ve brought to that half-back role.

“Trying to bring them into the midfield was challenging, but it was another good sort of growth year for me which was good.

“I think I’ll continue that role – continue to develop and get another pre-season playing as a mid.

“(Our pre-season) is all pretty position-specific now, so it will be good to be able to get that under my belt and go from there.”

Richards praised his peers – and on-ball brigade guns – Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar for their guidance, as well as assistant coach Brendon Lade.

“All the boys in (the midfield) were great. Obviously I’m in there with some pretty big names; Bont, who had another amazing year – he was great at helping me – and Ads as well, an All Australian calibre year for him too,” he said.

“It was great to be able to work with those two, and then obviously Tom…when he was able to comeback in, we we’re able to work pretty well together.

“Ladey was also complicit in helping me work on my craft every week, which was great. He’s one of the great coaches that I’ve worked with.”

The Bulldogs’ 1-4 year players will return for the 2025 AFL pre-season in November.