Player Ratings - Round 10
Another frustrating performance saw the Western Bulldogs slip to consecutive defeats this week, after falling 13 points short against Port Adelaide.
Despite dominating three of the four quarters, the Bulldogs inaccuracy kept the Power in the game, and the hosts made the most of their only patch of dominance in the game - a four-goal-to-none third term - that ultimately made the difference.
3. Mitch Wallis
One of the few times this season where he has gone goalless, although the blood rule was to partly to blame for this - the second week in a row Wallis has been forced from the ground just as he was taking a shot on goal. Looked dangerous when the ball did go near him however, with his immense pressure single-handedly setting up a Lloyd goal in the opening term - 7
4. Marcus Bontempelli
Was solid enough from a statistical point of view, but didn't quite dominate the way he has done in the past. 16 of his 23 possessions were contested, and had eight clearances - 7
5. Josh Dunkley
His presence in the opening term was immense, and a clear sign that he had been missed during his lenghty absence. Copped an elbow to the head late in the first term, and was subdued after that - 7
6. Bailey Smith
Tried to do too much at times, but certainly wasn't alone in that department. Was relatively industrious and effective, hitting a target 15 times out of 20 - 7
9. Hayden Crozier
Copped an injury to his toe early in the game, and will be on the sidelines for a few weeks, so hard to judge, given that he wasn't 100% for most of the night. Only three intercepts and one spoil - 5
10. Easton Wood
Been very up-and-down this year, and this was another quiet performance. Wasn't required for most of the night, but when the defence was called upon in the third term, most went missing - 4
11. Jackson Macrae
The most consistent performer that we've had this year, alongside Alex Keath. His 27 disposals was a game-high, with seven tackles and five clearances to boot - 8
12. Zaine Cordy
Led the way in defence with seven one-percenters, six spoils, and an equal game-high three intercept marks. Did his bit - 8
16. Toby McLean
Deployed up forward this week, and kicked two very clever goals - his first of the season - while spending the rest of the time looking dangerous. Not sure what it is about the magnet with "McLean" written on it, but the coaching staff love it to cover as much whiteboard surface as possible. Feel they should try to keep it inside the attacking 50 for now - 8
Used in a variety of different roles this year, McLean look solid as a small forward. Source: Getty Images
17. Josh Bruce
I can't be impartial here - there were at least half a dozen occasions where he should've received a free kick within 20 metres of goal. Be it for a hold or a push, he received no help from the umpires all night. Regardless, Bruce has struggled almost all year, and Monday night was no exception. He needs Naughton back, and quickly - 2
19. Cody Weightman
Looked lively early, and even kicked the first goal of the match. But disappeared after that. As we've said earlier this season though, he does fill a need, and should be kept in the side - 2
20. Ed Richards
If the COVID-19 cases curve had flattened the same way Ed Richards' numbers have, life would be a lot easier on us Victorian's right now. After 50 games, he's done ok, but really needs to start doing more - 5
21. Tom Liberatore
The only player this season to accrue 20 contested possessions in a match. His inside work was phenomenal, and it went a long way to giving the Bulldogs the edge for most of the night - 9
Surprising to no one, Tom Liberatore harbours no issues winning the hardball. Source: Getty Images
22. Sam Lloyd
Like a lot of the Bulldogs forwards, he looked dangerous when the ball went near him, as though he was capable to generating something every time. Kicked 2.1 and came within a whisker of a third late in the match, but two goals from him every week is a good night's work. Seven score involvements, too - 8
23. Laitham Vandermeer
0.4 sounds ordinary in theory (it sounds ordinary in practice, too), but it's worth noting that three of the shots were from well outside 50, so it's not fair to be too critical of him. Again, he's another non-forward playing in the forward line, but is making a solid fist of things - 6
27. Patrick Lipinski
A little better this week, but not at the level he set last year. Still only 22 years of age, but there would've been many Bulldogs fans expecting him to kick on after last year, myself included - 4
34. Bailey Williams
17 disposals, 16 kicks, one turnover, seven rebounds from defensive 50; they're the sorts of numbers you want to see from your back flankers. Two intercept marks, four spoils, and four one-percenters is just icing on the cake. Shoe-in for The Salty Bulldog Most Improved Award - 9
35. Caleb Daniel
Subdued this week. 16 disposals garnered only seven kicks, but made on it when he did have the ball, hitting a target with almost every touch - 7
37. Roarke Smith
Back at the scene where he had the best game of his career only last season. Was on track for something similar early, starting the game well, but was quiet after quarter time - 3
39. Jason Johannisen
Another player who has had his moments this season, and was down again this time. Just the seven kicks - 5
42. Alex Keath
Bar five minutes in the third term, he had the dangerous Charlie Dixon well contained, but that five minutes saw Dixon boot two goals, and created a gap that the Dogs couldn't breach. It's not his fault - his teammates up the other end should've had the game sewn up by that stage - but the damage was costly, and it hurt his score - 8
44. Tim English
Had Ladhams in all sorts early, winning the hitouts-to-advantage count 6-0 at one stage, but Ladhams worked his way back into the contest and probably won the points in the end. English, though, wasn't disgraced, and it was arguably his best performance since the Essendon game - 7
LEADERBOARD:
1. Jackson Macrae - 77 votes
2. Alex Keath - 72 votes
3. Caleb Daniel - 70 votes
4. Bailey Williams - 68 votes
5. Marcus Bontempelli - 63 votes