Player Ratings - Round 8

For the first time this season, the Western Bulldogs played in a match decided by under 24 points, and it was certainly worth the wait, as they fought off a determined Gold Coast Suns outfit by five points in a nail-biting encounter.

Leading by two points at quarter-time, half-time, and three-quarter-time, the contest was an intense one all night, but the Bulldogs managed to hold their nerve, and work their way back into the top 4 for the first time this season, with several stars leading the way.

1. Matthew Suckling

He does look more comfortable up forward than he does in the backline, but the conditions didn't suit him tonight, recording just eight disposals (and four clangers). Didn't stop him from working hard, though. Copped a raw deal from the umpire in an incident where he should've received a free for contact below the knees in the second term - 4

3. Mitch Wallis

Was quiet for the most of the night, but made it count when he did get involved. Capitalised on a Suns mix-up to kick an easy goal in the third quarter, and set up a goal for Lipinski just before half time. Eight disposals - 6

4. Marcus Bontempelli

Recognised what the conditions required, recording 16 kicks from his 20 disposals. Missed a couple of opportunities in front of goal, but made up for it with the game-saving mark late on - 8

6. Bailey Smith

An impressive performance once again. I think his strength in the contest and ability to push off opponents is very underrated, but it's hard to not be captivated by his run and ball-winning ability. Kicked the first goal of the game, and went on to notch 22 disposals and five clearances - 8

9. Hayden Crozier

Outstanding in the first half, picking off several Gold Coast attacks and launching the Bulldogs forward himself several times, setting up a goal for Liberatore late in the opening term. Finished the game with 11 of his 19 possessions being intercepts, a game-high four intercept marks and was a catalyst in the defence that spent the last 10 minutes of the game being the Suns out. Never received a Brownlow vote in his career, but he could be in line for three after tonight - 10

10. Easton Wood

Played the conditions really well, often opting to spoil the ball rather than go for the mark in greasy conditions. Partook in the key moment of the night, where he took a mark deep in defence in a one-on-one contest, with nothing but space surrounding Wood and his opponent, and it summed up his night. Impassable - 9

11. Jackson Macrae

Brilliant performance. Kept finding the ball as he always does despite wearing a tag. 29 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles, six inside-50s, and five score involvements is pretty well the complete night. Looks to have got things together after a slow start to the season - 9

Another brilliant game from Jackson Macrae helped get the Bulldogs over the line. Source: Getty Images

12. Zaine Cordy

Worked in tandem with Alex Keath to take down twin tall targets Ben King and Sam Day - the pair of Suns combined for 8 disposals and no score. Fought hard in the air all night, and is arguably in career-best form right now - 8

17. Josh Bruce

Contested hard, but probably dropped half a dozen marks that you would normally expect him to take. His score could have been much higher had some of those marks stuck. Conditions were far from ideal for the big key forwards, but you would expect more - 5

19. Cody Weightman

Very quiet (and statless) for three quarters, but came to life in the third. Played a hand in Wallis' goal, and had a chance to kick one for himself. His pressure game was up and the Dogs were right on top when he was involved, but it's understandable to expect some inconsistency from a second-gamer - 3

20. Ed Richards

Kicked a critical goal at the start of the last quarter that was reminiscent of his effort against Geelong in 2018 to kick the Bulldogs clear. Also won plenty of fans late in the match, as he won a contest on the wing despite being heavily outnumbered, which sent the Bulldogs forward and bought the defenders some respite. Like many, conditions weren't favourable for him, but made his few moments count. Team-high six tackles - 7

21. Tom Liberatore

Suns coach Stuart Dew put it best post-game when he said that Liberatore is far too underrated for what he brings to the table. Echoing the sentiments that we've been singing all year - perhaps Dew has been reading our Player Ratings articles? - 8

23. Laitham Vandermeer

Nearly got himself a goal as his shot hit the woodwork in the third term, but made up for it with a great run and long kick to set up Richards in the final term. 12 disposals and four score involvements was a key contribution. Saved the game late in the last quarter with a phenomenal effort to keep paddling the ball from half-back to the wing despite being outnumbered 3-1. It kept the Suns out of the play and took time of the clock. Deserving of an extra point, and now changing his nickname from "Dutch" to "Clutch" - 7

26. Billy Gowers

Had the Suns pinched it, we could well be looking at our first zero of the year. His decision to chip it to centre-half-forward when in possession in the centre of the ground with 30 seconds to go while holding onto a five-point lead can only be put down to a complete brain fade. Also missed a very gettable opportunity for a small forward in the last term that would've almost put the game out of reach. Attacked the contest well all night, but had virtually no impact. Owes Bontempelli quite a lot, one would think - 1

27. Patrick Lipinski

Looked as though he was struggling to bend over and pick up the ball early, but in a déjà vu moment, kicked an almost identical goal to what he managed last week, at an almost identical stage of the match as well, to put the Bulldogs up at half time. Six clangers from 20 disposals was a slight detractor - 6

28. Callum Porter

Also had six clangers from just nine disposals, but he'll just be delighted to be a part of a thrilling win in his first game. Never stopped trying, evident by the fact that he managed seven contested possessions and laid four tackles - 5

34. Bailey Williams

During the Suns last inside-50 of the match, he engaged in a footrace with Lachie Weller for the ball. In a display of strength and poise, he kept his feet while Weller went to ground, kept the ball in front of him, and eventually palmed it out to Vandermeer. Seconds later, he showed clean hands with Suns all around him to gather the ball and fire an handpass forward to clear the danger. The defining moments in a fantastic 22-disposal, six rebound-50 night. Lock in the Best 22 now - 9

35. Caleb Daniel

The Bulldogs game plan in defence is actually pretty simple: Plan A: Pass the ball to a teammate

Plan B: Give the ball to Caleb Daniel. He'll pass the ball to a teammate

Hit a target with 21 of his 25 disposals, and rebounded from defensive 50 a game-high eight times. Would almost certainly be in the All-Australian side were it selected tomorrow - 9

39. Jason Johannisen

Another player who wasn't helped by the conditions, but worked through it to have a great game. Quiet in the first term, but rebounded well to finish with 18 disposals (with just one clanger), and a goal to put the Bulldogs in front in the third quarter. Strung a couple of good games together now, needs to build - 7

40. Lachie Young

Virtually played as the Bulldogs second-tall up forward for almost the entire night, and didn't look out of place. Has the height, pace, and agility to play as a third-tall at either end of the ground down the track. Was rewarded for his hard work last week with his first career goal, which ultimately proved to be the match-winner - 6

Lachie Young's first career goal ultimately proved to be the match winner for the Bulldogs. Source: Getty Images

42. Alex Keath

Outstanding all night. Had the support in Cordy to quell Day and King, but was involved in countless contests deep in defence, and won them all. Effectively traded from Adelaide for a future second-round draft pick, and at this stage, it's looming as the recruit of the season. Cheers, Adelaide - 9

44. Tim English

Didn't dominate as much as he did last week, coming up against Jarrod Witts - an opponent who has the strength and mobility that most ruckmen lack. Got his hands to a few marks, but the slippery conditions meant that most of them went to ground. Also comprehensively beaten in the hitout count as expected, but continued to fight well throughout the night and ensured that Witts didn't completely dominate - 6

LEADERBOARD:

1. Jackson Macrae - 60 votes

2. Alex Keath - 59 votes

3. Caleb Daniel - 55 votes

=4. Bailey Williams - 52 votes

=4. Marcus Bontempelli - 52 votes