Player Ratings - Round 16
Despite their best efforts, the Western Bulldogs managed to secure their most important win of the season thus far, just shading the Eagles by two points at the weekend.
Despite having 18 more entries inside-50 and an extra seven scoring shots, it took a late goal from Marcus Bontempelli (that only just cleared the line) to get the Bulldogs to their eight win of the season, and set themselves up for a late dash to the finals.
3. Mitch Wallis
A critical role once again up forward, with both of his goals coming at vital junctures in the match for the Bulldogs. His 21st and 22nd goals for the season respectively means that this is now his best ever return in a season in front of goal - 8
4. Marcus Bontempelli
The words “not a chance” were being played on loop through my head as he ran in to kick. Abuse me all you want, but let’s be realistic: it was Marcus Bontempelli with a set shot. But like champion players do, he proved me wrong. Wasn’t his best night up until that moment, and it may have only snuck home by a hair, but it could be the hair that gets us into finals - 8
The marshal of the forward line (L) and the matchwinner. Source: Getty Images
5. Josh Dunkley
The most important player on the night, if not the best. Spent less time in the ruck this week, but was deployed more across half forward, and had an impact, kicking a goal in the second term, and setting up another one late in the third - 9
6. Bailey Smith
Started both halves on the bench, but didn’t waste any time having an impact when he did come on. His 24 disposals six clearances were of great importance- 7
7. Lachie Hunter
Once again the barometer of the side, turning the footy over just once out of his 24 disposals. Also had a hand in six scores - 8
9. Hayden Crozier
Not his best game. Nine disposals, and failed to manage an intercept mark or possession, a spoil, or a rebound. At least he only turned the footy over once - 4
11. Jackson Macrae
Another game-high 29 disposals as he and Lachie Neale once again exchanged leadership of the competition disposal count. Five clearances and five inside-50s to go with it - 8
12. Zaine Cordy
That tackle on Kennedy was arguably the turning point in the game, as the Eagles had just taken the lead and looked likely to score again. As it happened, the ball was whisked up the other end and in the blink of an eye the Dogs were back in front. The defence looks much better when he’s in it - 8
16. Toby McLean
Went back to the tagging role he adopted earlier in the season, heading straight to Andrew Gaff - the scourge of ‘Scray for several seasons now. With a career average of nearly 30 disposals and 12 Brownlow votes out of a possible 15 in his last five matches against the Dogs, many would’ve expected Gaff to dominate again, but just 15 disposals suggested otherwise. Team-high nine tackles - 9
17. Josh Bruce
Will get marks for his efforts, because he attacked every contest with terrific intensity and vigour, and got the Bulldogs motoring at the start of the last term with two very strong marks. But following them both up with a errant kick and a missed handpass respectively was synonymous with a night filled with poor disposal and dropped marks. If nothing else, it's a positive that he still has the confidence to attack the ball - 5
20. Ed Richards
Five disposals, one tackle, one clanger. Nothing else of note to really report. Quiet - 1
21. Tom Liberatore
I think his fast hands are extremely underrated, and they're what got him out of trouble to set up the Dunkley goal in the second term. Yet again provided the grunt that the Bulldogs need in the midfield, with 21 disposals and six clearances being of vital use - 8
22. Sam Lloyd
Kicked the Bulldogs first goal of the game in the second term, although should've had it much earlier on after butchering a great opportunity. The tackle of McGovern to win the free in the first place was impressive, in fairness. Didn't exactly grab any headlines aside from that, but played a hand in six crucial scores - 6
32. Will Hayes
He's a handy little player to have, and you're going alright if he's your 22nd man. You won't expect huge numbers from him, but you can rely on him to play a bit-part role and be an extra rotation through the midfield. Spent the majority of the last term on the bench, and played just 53% of game time, which hints at a possible injury - 5
Will Hayes showed plenty of promise throughout the night, but spending the last quarter on the bench provides cause for concern over his fitness. Source: Getty Images
33. Aaron Naughton
Threatened to be the hero with that outrageous mark late in the game, but could not convert. In fact, both of his set shots were completed off three or four steps at most - far too few to expect to convert truly. Disappointing finishes, and luckily not costly - 3
34. Bailey Williams
His composure was important late in the match, twice combining with Bailey Smith across half forward to set up shots on goal for both Naughton and Bontempelli. It made up for a relatively quiet statistical night, with just 15 disposals and 217 metres gained - 6
35. Caleb Daniel
Absolutely tore West Coast apart in the first half, picking off targets for fun. The Eagles tightened the screws after half time, but had already done more than enough to help the Dogs dictate terms - 8
37. Roarke Smith
Like Hayes, Roarke is the type of player that's never likely to manage north of a dozen touches, so needs to consistently make the most of them if he wants to keep his spot. Fortunately, with one of his nine touches for the match, he kicked truly in the last term to give the Dogs the lead at a critical moment - 6
39. Jason Johannisen
It was a slow, hard old slog of a match; definitely not conducive to Johannisen's style of play. He worked through it though to manage 14 disposals and six marks, so credit where it's due - 6
42. Alex Keath
Probably the least impactful of the three key defenders, but they've owed him an easy day at the office given how regularly he's bailed us out this season. Tasked with Kennedy for most of the match and conceded just two goals - 7
43. Ryan Gardner
It's important to do the little things right when on the fringes of the team, and the desire to get something on Jack Darling's goal-bound kick on the three-quarter time siren speaks volumes of his determination to succeed. But it was only one of several decisive moments in the match where he had an impact. It's hard to believe that Ryan Gardner is potentially two games away from lining up in an AFL Final, but he deserves all praise right now - 7
44. Tim English
Must've been thanking every deity under the sun in the warm-up after hearing the news that Nic Naitanui would be a late out. He had a funny old night in the air; if he wasn't dropping uncontested marks, he was getting pinned for holding the ball for taking contested marks (yes, it was one of those nights). But the big Pom from Perth came up trumps when it mattered most, taking two big grabs in the last three minutes to see the Bulldogs home - 8
LEADERBOARD:
1. Jackson Macrae - 118 votes
2. Caleb Daniel - 108 votes
3. Alex Keath - 107 votes
=4. Marcus Bontemelli - 106 votes
=4. Bailey Williams - 106 votes