Player Ratings - Round 7
The Western Bulldogs maintained their recent strong form against Essendon, charging away from them in the second half to notch an impressive 42-point win.
It was the Bulldogs sixth consecutive victory against the Bombers, stretching back to Round 18, 2015, and there were plenty of players who ran the show.
1. Matthew Suckling
Played his best game for the year. Put away the clip kicks and had a great game, taking eight marks and kicking two goals. Might be best suited as a permanent forward now - 7
3. Mitch Wallis
Received just rewards for some very selfless team play this year with a career best three goal haul. Seems to have a knack for kicking the first goal of the game - this was the third time he has done so this year - 8
4. Marcus Bontempelli
Class. 23 disposals, five clearances, seven inside 50s, seven score involvement and three goal assists is a great night in anyone’s book. Impressed on both left and right foot as well -9
6. Bailey Smith
Not as damaging as he has been at times this season, but still managed 20 touches, and at times combined to great effect with the midfield group - 6
7. Lachie Hunter
Certainly had a moment or two that he would like back, but overall a pretty solid outing - 7
9. Hayden Crozier
Wasn’t statistically dominant, but he makes a big difference in the defence, and normally ties down a dangerous forward. Four tackles - 5
10. Easton Wood
Like Crozier, pretty quiet on the stats sheet, with just five disposals and three marks, but provides great presence down back, and was part of the defence that conceded just one goal in almost a half of football - 4
11. Jackson Macrae
Another class outing, with a game-high 29 disposals and four clearances. Just doesn’t waste the Sherrin when he gets his hands on it - 8
12. Zaine Cordy
Spent the majority of the match on the dangerous McKernan, and kept him goalless. I reckon Cordy would’ve taken that at the start of the night - 7
17. Josh Bruce
1.1 (with the goal potentially touched off the boot) and two more that went out on the full in a first half where Essendon seemed to have no answers to him, much the same way Bruce had no answers to his kicking woes. He did a lot right, but you can’t score big as a forward in our votes if your goalkicking is awry - 5
19. Cody Weightman
Probably the best first touch in the history of the game. Provided spark whenever he lurked near the footy, and looks an infectious player that the rest of the team love. Fills a need that the Dogs have spent years crying out for - 7
Debutant Cody Weightman (L) and assigned mentor Mitch Wallis share a moment after the win. Source: Getty Images
20. Ed Richards
Helped himself to a relatively easy goal when the Dogs made their move in the third term. Numbers weren’t great, but made a steady contribution - 5
21. Tom Liberatore
22 disposals along with six tackles and eight score involvements (both game highs). Always gets himself in the right position to win the footy. Our most consistent player this season - 8
23. Laitham Vandermeer
Was gifted his only goal courtesy of a 50m penalty. Fairly quiet otherwise, but still managed five score involvements from his seven disposals. His knock-on to set up a goal late in the first half was clever - 5
27. Patrick Lipinski
Enjoyed a much better birthday than Rhylee West did last week, managing a win and a great goal just before half time. Wasn’t as prolific as he has been, but continues to develop nicely - 6
31. Bailey Dale
Another very quiet game from him, but worked hard in the air all night by regularly bringing the ball to ground, and helped himself to a lovely goal late on - 4
34. Bailey Williams
Five clangers doesn’t sound great, but provided great assistance to the dour defenders that were thwarting Essendon attacks, with a game-high seven rebound 50s. Continues to improve - 6
35. Caleb Daniel
Had just two disposals in the first quarter when Essendon were arguably on top. Finished the match with 20 and dictated terms across half back, doing as he pleased. Our barometer - 8
39. Jason Johannisen
Bit of a step forward this week, with 14 disposals and a lovely goal from outside 50 in the third term. Played further up the ground this week and seemed to tag Adam Saad to good effect - 6
40. Lachie Young
Just five disposals, but certainly not through a lack of effort. Covered more ground than any other player (13.1 km) which was almost one kilometer further than anyone else on the ground. Such work rate won’t go unnoticed internally. He’s got the potential to be a handy footballer for us - 5
42. Alex Keath
Wasn’t as desperately needed this week compared to last, as the backline got a handle on things once again. Spent the majority of the match on Jayden Laverde and despite conceding two goals to him, blanketed him very well after half time - 6
44. Tim English
Yes, SuperCoach isn’t everything, but let’s use it to put his performance into perspective. Score 100 and you’ve had a good game. Score 200 and you’ve had one of the best individual performances of the season. English managed 204 on Friday night. His marking was brilliant, he won a career-best number of possessions (22), and his tap work was the best we’ve seen from him. Comfortably the best performance of his career, and the best we’ve seen from any Bulldog so far this year. If they could, the umpires would give him the 3, 2, and 1 Brownlow votes - 10
Tim English (R) is a man growing before our very eyes. Source: Getty Images
LEADERBOARD:
1. Jackson Macrae - 51 votes
2. Alex Keath - 50 votes
3. Caleb Daniel - 46 votes
4. Tim English - 45 votes
5. Marcus Bontempelli - 44 votes